Nepal Transport Association Chairman Stresses Infrastructure for Transport Reform

Kathmandu. Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs National Federation Chairman Punya Prasad Sitaula has stated that reforms in the transport sector cannot be brought about without adequate development of road infrastructure and practical policies. 

Speaking at a program organized on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of Metro Traffic FM on Friday, Chairman Sitaula accused the government of neglecting the domestic ground and infrastructure while imitating foreign road policies and fines.

Addressing Nepal's bureaucracy and government, Sitaula argued that policies from Singapore, America, and Europe should not be imposed in Nepal, citing examples of developed roads in those countries. He claimed that the transport sector has become chaotic due to impractical policies made in Singha Durbar and demanded that infrastructure management be given top priority.

Speaking about foreign policies and domestic conditions, Sitaula said, 'It is not appropriate to directly imitate the roads and rules of Singapore, America, or Europe without looking at Nepal's actual situation.'

He mentioned that although approximately 2.6 million vehicles, including 2.3 million motorcycles, ply in the Kathmandu Valley alone, there are no adequate roads and infrastructure for these vehicles to run on. He emphasized the need to increase road capacity for infrastructure management.

Highlighting the current problems in the transport sector, he said, 'We have come with a commitment to improve public transport, but today investors, workers, and passengers-consumers are all dissatisfied. The main reason for this is weakness in policy-making and lack of infrastructure.'

Chairman Sitaula stressed that the federal and local governments should show activeness in infrastructure management. Urging the government, he added, 'First, let the roads and infrastructure be managed properly, then let the rules be implemented effectively. Concrete work is needed to improve public transport by coordinating between local, provincial, and federal governments.'

Meanwhile, he expressed strong dissatisfaction with the role of the provincial government. Commenting that provincial governments are merely entangled in political tug-of-war and power games, Chairman Sitaula stated that provincial governments have not been able to do any concrete work in improving public transport.