60% vehicles fail pollution test in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) conducted a pollution test on 292 vehicles, of which 174, or 60%, failed to meet the required standards.

The tests revealed significant issues in both petrol and diesel-powered vehicles.

Out of 71 petrol-run vehicles tested, 14 did not pass, while 160 of the 221 diesel-run vehicles failed.

The tests were carried out in accordance with the Environment and Natural Resources Act, 2077 BS, the Pollution Control Standards, 2081 BS, and the Waste Collection and Transportation Procedure, 2081 BS, according to KMC Assistant Spokesperson Dhurba Kumar Kafle.

This initiative is part of KMC’s efforts to reduce vehicular pollution. Vehicle owners whose vehicles failed the tests have been advised to repair them promptly and comply with the standards.

The city plans to take further action against non-compliant vehicles, including halting their operation, after providing adequate time for necessary improvements. Awareness programs launched on January 13 aim to encourage vehicle owners to make the required changes.

Testing has so far been conducted on vehicles operating in areas such as Koteshwor, Durbarmarg, Chakrapath, Balkhu, Babarmahal, Teku, Sukedhara, Sinamangal, Panipokhari, and Jamal.

Among the vehicles failing the pollution tests are public transport buses, school buses, government office jeeps, and trucks.

KMC’s Department of Environment Management is conducting the pollution checks in collaboration with the Department of Environment, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, and the Metropolitan Police Force.