Kathmandu, Oct. 1: Public transport vehicles in Kathmandu Valley may soon have to carry fire extinguishers as part of efforts to prevent fire-related accidents and strengthen passenger safety.
The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office (KVTPO) is preparing to make fire control equipment mandatory for public passenger vehicles, alongside stricter enforcement of route permits and other safety requirements.
The move comes amid concerns over vehicles operating without proper documentation, travelling beyond their authorized routes, and inadequate safety preparedness.
Senior Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad Kafle, Chief of the KVTPO, said the office was preparing to introduce the mandatory fire extinguisher requirement in coordination with concerned authorities.
He said electrical and mechanical faults, fuel leakage and other technical problems could cause vehicles to catch fire unexpectedly, making it essential for public vehicles to carry fire extinguishers to contain fires before they spread.
The traffic police are also planning more regular inspections of vehicle conditions, drivers’ fitness, necessary documents, route permits and the availability and usability of safety equipment.
Traffic Police Spokesperson Naresh Raj Subedi said inspections would focus on ensuring that public vehicles meet essential safety standards and operate with valid documents and permits.
Although public transport vehicles are required to obtain permits for designated routes, police have received complaints of some operators running vehicles without the necessary documents or beyond their authorized routes.
The KVTPO is therefore preparing to tighten monitoring and take action against such violations.
The proposed measure aims to make passenger transport safer and more reliable by strengthening preventive safety measures rather than relying solely on action after accidents occur.
