Nawalparasi, December 6

The week-long ban on the operation of passenger vehicles on the rural roads of Nawalparasi was lifted today.

The ban had been imposed following the accident of an overcrowded jeep at Batasa, Bulingtar, on November 26 where seven people lost their lives. The move, however, angered the residents of some 15 hilly VDCs close to the road, which finally prompted the concerned authority to lift the ban.

“Following the tragic accident, we thought the ban was the right step to take. But now, transport entrepreneurs have agreed not to carry passengers exceeding the capacity of vehicles, so we let go of the ban,” said an officer from Kawasoti Police Office. There are more than a dozen rural routes without route permit in the district where light passenger vehicles, such as jeeps, ply.

Passenger vehicles have been plying to Daldale, Kawasoti and Bhumahi for years.