Kathmandu, April 1

The government will now issue new vehicle route permits to public vehicles of only those transport companies that are registered at the Department of Transport Management (DoTM).

Amending the Transport Management Directive of 2060, the government introduced such rule with an objective to discourage syndicate system in the country's transportation industry. Previously, the government had been issuing vehicle route permits to transporters on the basis of recommendation of different transport associations and committees.

Prior to this, registration of transport companies at DoTM was voluntary and only around 90 such companies have registered themselves at the DoTM offices though there are hundreds of transport companies in the country.

At a press conference held in the Capital today, Rupnarayan Bhattarai, director general of DoTM, said that the government will enforce new rule strictly and take stern action against those transporters violating any transport-related laws and practicing syndicate system in the industry.

Moreover, Bhattarai said that transporters from now onwards will have to mandatorily register their companies at DoTM before their route permits can be renewed. As per the new Transport Management Directive, transport companies must renew their vehicle route permits every four months. Before approaching DoTM for registration, all the transport companies should also compulsorily register themselves at the Office of Company Registrar (OCR).

The DoTM has said that it will be stricter against syndicate system in the transportation sector especially in the backdrop of different transport companies revolting against the government's decision to give route permit to Mayur Yatayat along the Araniko Highway.

Moreover, the DoTM has also made it mandatory for transport companies to issue job appointment letters to drivers and co-drivers of public vehicles incorporating all the facilities that the company will provide to drivers and co-drivers.