25-year-old Private Vehicles to be Scrapped in Gandaki Province

In a groundbreaking move, Gandaki province in Nepal has introduced a provision mandating the scrapping of privately-owned vehicles after 25 years of operation. This marks the first instance in the country where such regulations apply to private vehicles, as previously, the provision was exclusively applicable to public transport vehicles under federal law, requiring them to be scrapped after 20 years.

The new provision, outlined in the Gandaki Province Vehicle and Transport Regulations, 2080, which was published in the provincial gazette last Thursday, signifies a significant shift in vehicle retirement policies.

According to Tikaram Paudel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, setting the age limit for private vehicles at 25 years is a novel development for Nepal. The existing regulation for public vehicles stipulates a scrapping age of 20 years.

The regulations extend to e-public vehicles as well, with a limit set at thirty years. Moreover, the ministry has been granted the authority to establish and issue standards for converting public and other vehicles into electric vehicles.

Spokesperson Paudel highlighted additional aspects of the regulations, stating that legal groundwork has been provided to regulate and legalize transport services facilitated through Ride Sharing apps. This means that transportation services can be offered through Ride Sharing Apps at specified fares, following the completion of necessary procedures and obtaining passenger insurance.

The regulations also address issues within the taxi industry, specifically targeting taxis that fail to utilize the meter system. The minimum fine for such violations has been significantly increased, jumping from the existing Rs 2,100 to Rs 10,000. Additionally, as a maximum penalty, the road permit license can be suspended for a duration of six months.

Gandaki province, with around 3,500 taxis in operation, including 2,500 in the prominent city of Pokhara, is poised to witness significant changes in its transportation landscape as these regulations take effect. The move reflects a comprehensive effort to modernize and regulate the transport sector, encouraging environmentally friendly practices and ensuring passenger safety and fair pricing.