Kathmandu, August 21

The Development Committee of the Legislature-Parliament has directed the government to instal electronic billing system in taxis operating in the country as soon as possible.

After holding discussions with concerned authorities today at Singhadurbar, the House panel has directed the government to finalise the installation process of electronic meter billing system within three months.

“Installing electronic billing system in the taxis is crucial to address the rising number of complaints about passengers being overcharged by the drivers,” said Rabindra Adhikari, chairperson of the committee.

The House panel has also directed the government to ensure proper management of taxis in the hospital and airport areas, wKahere taxi-drivers allegedly often overcharge the passengers. The committee also instructed the government to operate a toll-free number to register the complaints related to any taxi-driver looking to cheat the passengers.

In the meeting, Director General of Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) Bishwababu Pudasaini informed that the electronic billing system has been installed in around 8,000 taxis, out of the total 9,500 operating in Valley.

He also informed the committee that NBSM will complete the installation process of the electronic billing system within three weeks. According to him, issuing 1,500 new taxi permits to the earthquake-affected people had stalled the installation process.

The panel today also directed the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport to establish at least one vehicle fitness centre in each of the seven provinces of the country.

The parliamentary panel also directed the government to manage the traffic lights at major intersections of the Kathmandu Valley.