Gandaki Zonal Transport Management Office (GZTO) has denied route permits to 10 air-conditioned buses imported by Bindabasini Yatayat - a company promoted by 58 young entrepreneurs. [break]
“We have completed all legal procedures. But the GZTMO denied us route permit. All our efforts over the past three months have gone in vain,” Bikash Shrestha, secretary of the Bindabasini Yatayat Bus Committee, said.
The committee has imported 10 air-conditioned buses at the total cost of Rs 30 million. The 26-seater Eicher buses cost Rs 3 million each. The buses have facilities like air-conditioner, CCTV and video service.
“We imported the buses with the objective of providing standard bus service in the lake city, which is a popular destination for both local and foreign tourists,” Shrestha said, adding, “The GZTMO denied us route permit due to pressure from other bus operators, who think their business will be hurt if we provide comfortable service at the price that they are charging.”
Existing buses charge passengers between Rs 12 and Rs 30.
According to Shrestha, GZTMO denied the committee route permit even though the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) directed it to issue the permit.
If the committee gets route permits, it aims to operate 50 such vehicles in Pokhara.
“The fate of our investment worth Rs 30 million has become uncertain. We wanted to do something best for the city-dwellers. But the turn of events has left us frustrated,” added Shrestha.
Sunil Khanal, chief of GZTMO, said the office denied route permits taking into consideration factors like passenger flow, population and environment in the lake city. “As per the provisions enshrined in Vehicles and Transport Management Act, we can deny route permits based on the aforesaid reasons,” he argued.
He further added that the District Transport Management Office, which is headed by chief district officer of Kaski, in April decided to replace old buses with new buses. “It also decided not to issue new route permits,” said Khanal, adding that the meeting also decided to deny route permits to buses have less than 30 seats.
But Shrestha said the decision was taken after the committee applied for route permits.
Following dispute on issuance of route permits, the MoPIT has formed a committee to study whether or not new buses are necessary in the lake city.
“The committee will submit its report in three months. We will take decision on Bindabasini´s application as per the findings of the report,” said Khanal.
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