The protest has been led by Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Association, an umbrella organisation of transport operators, a month after the government put a ban on the monopoly in transportation sector, known as syndicate system.
The Nepal government recently amended the transport management directive of 2004 to break organised syndicate of transport operators and to encourage the private companies for open and fair competition. It is adopting “zero tolerance” policy against public transport syndicate.
Thus, transport operators are in phase-wise protest in all 77 districts from yesterday to pressurise the government to step back with its latest decision.
Bharat Nepal, a protesting transport operator, said, “We are not against open competition. But the government should consult the transport associations and committees before making any such decision. Our protest will continue until the government
steps back.”
The shut down in the vehicular movement has affected the lives of general people, compelling many to walk on streets to reach their destinations.
However, vehicles belonging to transport companies, which are not under the federation, have continued their service in regular routes.
According to department of transport management, it will scrap the registration of those transportation associations and committees that promote the
organised syndicate system.
Around 400,000 public vehicles across the country are associated with Federation of Nepalese National Transport
Entrepreneurs Association.
