Transport Federation Denies Formal Meeting on Odd-Even Traffic Scheme Implementation

Kathmandu. Saroj Sitoula, Acting Chairman of the Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs National Federation, clarified that there has been no formal meeting at the Department of Transport Management regarding the implementation of the odd-even vehicle rationing system.

 He asserted that news reports in various media outlets claiming that the Department of Transport Management has called a meeting to discuss the odd-even system are untrue.  

 According to Sitoula, his conversation with the Director General of the Department confirmed that no such meeting is scheduled for today. "There have been reports in the media that the department has called a meeting and is preparing to implement odd-even, but my conversation with the DG of the department clarified that no such meeting has taken place," Sitoula said.
In the context of soaring fuel prices and the dire state of the Oil Corporation, Sitoula argued that if the government must implement the odd-even system, it should first be applied to private (red plate) vehicles and two-wheelers. He stated that the problem will not be solved by halting public transport.

‘Four-wheeled vehicles with red plates are means of luxury; when only one person travels in them, four seats remain empty. Therefore, the scientific alternative for fuel conservation is to first impose odd-even on private cars and motorcycles,’ he added.

Chairman Sitoula also complained that the government has shown no interest in adjusting public transport fares despite repeated increases in fuel prices. He objected to the government spreading rumors about the odd-even scheme without consulting the entrepreneurs, while the transport entrepreneurs' problems remain shelved at the ministry.

He urged the general public and entrepreneurs not to be misled, stating that while preliminary discussions might have occurred in the past for general preparation, no immediate decision has been made in the current situation.