In an effort to curb high accident rates and manage traffic flow more effectively, the government has mandated that all public transport vehicles operating on long routes to and from Kathmandu must be equipped with GPS Tracking systems.
Key Highlights of the New Rule:
- Safety Monitoring: The GPS allows the Traffic Police and the DoTM to monitor vehicle speeds and locations in real-time. This is specifically aimed at preventing speeding on treacherous highways like the Narayanghat-Mugling road.
- Integrated Surveillance: Alongside GPS, authorities have started requiring CCTV and Dashboard Cameras in public vehicles. This is intended to improve passenger safety, prevent overcharging, and provide evidence in case of accidents or theft.
- Departure Regulations: As of late 2025, long-distance buses are also strictly prohibited from picking up or dropping off passengers at random roadside points within the Kathmandu Valley; they must now depart exclusively from designated bus parks (like Gongabu New Bus Park).
- Digital Integration: The data from these GPS trackers is being linked to centralized monitoring systems. In the future, this may allow passengers to track their bus’s location via mobile apps, similar to the pilot programs recently tested on routes to Pokhara and Janakpur.
Why this rule was implemented:
- Accident Prevention: High-speed driving is a leading cause of accidents on Nepal’s hills. GPS alerts authorities when a driver exceeds the speed limit.
- Driver Accountability: The rule helps enforce the “two-driver” requirement for long routes by tracking if the vehicle stops for necessary breaks and driver swaps.
- Traffic Management: By ensuring buses stay on their assigned routes and stick to designated stops, traffic congestion at Kathmandu’s exit points (like Kalanki and Nagdhunga) is significantly reduced.
Note: Transport entrepreneurs are required to install these devices through approved vendors licensed by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MOIC) and the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA).
Also Read: Nipah Virus Alert in Nepal: What We Know, Why It Matters, and How the Country Is Preparing
