Kathmandu– Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Devendra Dahal emphasized the need to make public transport both efficient and environmentally friendly.
Speaking at the ‘High-Quality Urban Public Transport’ program, organized by the Ministry and the Asian Development Bank on Wednesday, Minister Dahal stressed that the output generated from the transport sector should contribute to economic development.
He highlighted the role of the private sector in Nepal’s public transport and pointed out that public-private partnerships could help make public transport more standardized and accessible. He also stated that the participation of the private sector in infrastructure development, alongside the transport sector, would be welcomed.
Minister Dahal added that, in the context of the transport sector, the federal government is responsible for policy management and coordination, while provincial and local governments play an important role in implementation and management. He further mentioned that the government has been promoting the use of energy-efficient engines and technology, and stressed the need to manage charging stations, parking facilities, and repair centers effectively.
During the program, Secretary of the Ministry, Keshav Kumar Sharma, stated that urbanization and urban expansion cannot be stopped. He emphasized that public transport must be made systematic and accessible to accommodate the expansion and development of urban areas.