Himalayan News Service

Lalitpur, March 27:

Director General of the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) Hari Prasad Nepal and Deputy Director General of the Department of Transportation of Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China Chang Xingxian today signed an agreement to run direct bus service between Kathmandu and Lhasa from May 1. Addressing a gathering at the Sajha Yatayat office this evening, Nepal said Kathmandu is eagerly waiting to commence the service. “Direct bus service will help boost trade and tourism between the two nations besides enhancing mutual ties,” he said. Chang Xingxian, leader of the Chinese delegation, said the bus service will strengthen people-to-people relationship between the two countries and also boost economic activities. “This is just a beginning; platforms will be further expanded in the days to come,” he said.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management, Dhruba Kumar Sharma, said both the parties have agreed that transport agencies themselves will work as agents in their respective places for booking tickets for both the Chinese and Nepali buses. They will also facilitate in providing travel visa. “A joint sub-committee will be formed to resolve the problems while running the bus service and the members will be informed later through a diplomatic channel,” Sharma said. A country can set up a maximum of three checkpoints in its area. The places will be identified later and this, too, will be informed via proper diplomatic channel. As per the first agreement made in 1994 both the nations will not be allowed to pick local passengers on the way. The provisions will be revised after the termination of a year-long test period.

Sharma also said the buses will not ply in the night and will stay somewhere in Khasha, Tingri, Nalang or Sigachhe — wherever they feel comfortable. Asked about the condition of roads, Sharma said the roads are all fine. “It may be difficult in the monsoon but we have managed a bulldozer, which will provide round-the-clock service on the highway,” he added.

Four buses each would ply every month from either side.