KATHMANDU, Aug 18: In view of growing number of deadly accidents, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed Minister for Physical Planning and Transportation Ramesh Lekhak to formulate necessary laws to end the syndicate system prevalent in the public transportation sector.

Likewise, Prime Minister Dahal has also asked Minister Lekhak to immediately adopt all the necessary administrative measures to curb increasing road accidents and inform him about the progress.

"The syndicate system prevalent in the public transportation is the main reason behind the bus accidents as passengers are being forced to travel in overloaded buses risking their lives," PM Dahal said.

“I direct the minister to immediately formulate necessary laws to end the syndicate system which has paralyzed the whole transportation system.”

He also expressed sadness over the death of 27 individuals in the latest road accident in Kavre.

"The government will bear all the cost related to the treatment of the injured passengers,” he said in the statement on Wednesday.

He also praised Minister Lekhak for his initiatives and decisions made to ensure that no such road accidents repeat.

On Tuesday, Minister Lekhak had directed the Department of Transportation Management, Traffic Police and Nepal Police to revoke the driving license of drivers and cancel the route permit of the vehicles if they were found carrying passengers more than their capacity.

Likewise, the minister had also ordered the authorities to take action against the owners of the vehicles that breach the law.  

Minister Lekhak has formed a team to consult with all the stakeholders and recommend necessary amendments to laws related to public transportation within ten days.

Speaking at a meeting of the parliament's Good Governance and Monitoring Committee on Monday, Chief of Metropolitan Traffic Police Division Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prakash Aryal had said only stern legal measures against reckless drivers can help reduce numbers of road accidents. “We have to introduce strong laws for minimizing accidents, including the provision to seize their driving license,” he said.

According to Nepal Police data, road accidents claim 2,000 to 2,500 lives annually.

 
• prime minister pushpa kamal dahal
 
• minister for physical planning and transportation ramesh lekhak
 
• formulate laws
 
• syndicate system prevalent
 
• public transportation sector