Pokhara, February 17

All public vehicles operating in Pokhara halted their services today expressing dissatisfaction over the route permit given to Bindhyabasini Transportation Bus Service Committee in Kaski.

Expressing solidarity with the protest, Prithvi Highway Bus Operators’ Committee also halted operation of its long-route buses today.

Three buses brought into operation by Bindhyabasini Transportation Committee have been plying under the surveillance of security personnel.

Earlier, Pokhara Bus Transportation Committee had disrupted bus services for three hours yesterday in protest of the decision to provide route permit to the new transport committee.

The committee also vandalised buses belonging to Bindhyabasini Bus Entrepreneurs Committee.

Bindhyabasini Bus Entrepreneurs Committee Chairperson Sam Bahadur Gurung accused Pokhara Transportation Entrepreneurs Committee of imposing syndicate system in transport sector.

“Though the government has outlawed syndicate system in the transport sector, the trend still exists. We are committed to eliminating it if the administration helps us,” said Gurung.

He added, “Passengers should be provided with quality services and there must be healthy competition among transport entrepreneurs.”

Chief District Officer of Kaski Hari Prasad Mainali said buses belonging to Bindhyabasini Bus Entrepreneurs Committee should be allowed to operate without any obstruction.

Secretary of Pokhara Transportation Entrepreneurs Committee Amrit Sharma, however, argued that the new route permit would put their huge investment at risk at a time when they were adding well-facilitated and eco-friendly buses as per the road capacity.

“We will continue our protest until the new route permit is scraped,” he warned.