KATHMANDU, Feb 4: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) tested 599 vehicles, and 345 were found to violate the smoke emission standards. During a pollution check coordinated by the municipality with various agencies, they discovered that 58 percent of the vehicles failed to meet the required standards.
The Environment Department of KMC reported that 23 petrol-powered and 322 diesel-powered vehicles did not satisfy the smoke emission standards. Sarita Rai, the department head, noted that more diesel-powered vehicles than petrol-powered ones violated the standards.
41 percent of vehicles fail pollution test
She stated that KMC is conducting surprise checks on the roads to reduce the impact of air pollution from vehicles. She added that vehicles found violating the standards are advised to undergo repairs before being allowed to operate.
Chief Rai also said that the awareness program, which began on January 13, is being conducted regularly for pollution control. She explained vehicles that fail to satisfy the standards will eventually face penalties, and authorities may halt their operation after one warning.
"Before halting operations, we will give vehicles a chance to make improvements. Those who delay in taking advantage of this opportunity will face penalties, and we will stop their operations," Chief Rai said. She added that the department has tested vehicles operating in areas such as Kuleshwar, Kamalpokhari, Banasthali, Koteshwor, Durbar Marg, Chakrapath Balkhu, Babar Mahal, Teku, Sukedhara, Sinamangal, Panipokhari, and Jamal.
The department reported that during the testing, it found violations in vehicles used for public transportation, school buses, government office vehicles, and cargo trucks.
Chief Rai stated that vehicles failing to meet the standards during testing must undergo repairs, followed by re-testing, and can only operate once they comply with the standards. The KMC’s Environment Management Department is conducting vehicle checks in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Valley Traffic Police Office, and the KMC Municipal Police Force.
