Infrastructure is the real gap
Dhurba Bahadur Thapa, former NADA president and chairman of Himalaya Organization, said Nepal is adding vehicles much faster than it is improving roads, parking and traffic management. He made the remarks at the NAIMA Mobility Dialogue in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
Thapa said the problem is not vehicle growth alone. The lack of supporting infrastructure needed for safe mobility is the bigger issue.
He pointed to weak road quality, limited parking space and poor traffic control as the main pressure points.
He urged stricter enforcement of traffic rules and a more effective fine system to improve driver discipline. Transport laws and policies, he said, should be prepared only after consulting businesses and other stakeholders.
Thapa also highlighted Kathmandu’s parking shortage. Planned parking infrastructure is now essential.
He added that Nepal should not become a dumping ground for vehicles, especially as EV imports rise. If infrastructure keeps lagging, congestion and road safety problems could worsen.
Writes on vehicle pricing, taxation and the Nepali auto market from ongoing tracking of distributor price lists. Editorial policy.
