Proposed ban bikes above 500cc

KATHMANDU, NOV 02 -

The government has rolled back its plan to impose ban on the import of motorcycle s with an engine capacity greater than 500cc.

The Ministry of Physical Planning, Works and Transport Management recently wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), saying the idea of restricting import of such bikes was not plausible.

A meeting held at the PMO about a month ago had decided to recommend the government to ‘immediately’ impose a ban on the import of bigger bikes for commercial purpose as a measure to reduce road accidents. Based on the recommendation, the Department of Transport Management was all set to formally enforce the provision.

After the Post reported the government’s plan, the private sector flayed the move, terming it ‘baseless’, citing ‘no accident record of such bikes’.

“If I was there in the committee meeting, I would have objected this decision right away,” said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary at the Physical Planning Ministry. He said after needful consultations within the ministry, they told the PMO that a ban on the import of such bikes was not a solution to road accidents.

Physical Planning Ministry officials said the PMO-formed committee had come up with such a decision without proper study and its impact on the domestic market.

The committee was formed comprising officials from various government agencies related to road and transport management. It was asked to identify ways to reduce road accidents.

Automobile dealers have welcomed the government decision to roll back the plan and urged the government to hold proper discussions before making any policy-level decision that could affect the private sector’s investment.

Source: The Kathmandu Post