Ride-sharing drivers face crackdown; 5 held in foreign job scam

KATHMANDU: Traffic police in the Kathmandu Valley have taken action against 175 ride-sharing drivers as part of a special monitoring campaign aimed at curbing rising traffic congestion, unregulated transport operations, and rule violations.

According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, the arrest followed inspections at major busy locations, where drivers were found operating vehicles in violation of existing laws.

The campaign comes amid a rapid rise in ride-sharing services, alongside increasing cases of unauthorized operations, failure to meet regulatory standards, and disregard for traffic rules.

Police spokesperson and Superintendent Naresh Raj Subedi said most of the penalized drivers were providing services offline without authorization from registered online platforms. Other violations included picking up and dropping passengers at undesignated locations, poor vehicle conditions, lack of required documents, and general traffic rule violation.

Senior Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Adhikari emphasized that ride-sharing operators must obtain proper authorization, maintain vehicle standards, carry valid documents, and strictly follow traffic regulations. He noted that many drivers had been ignoring these basic requirements, prompting enforcement action.

Authorities have particularly tightened checks in high-traffic areas such as major intersections, hospital zones, school surroundings, and main roads, where unsafe passenger handling contributes to congestion and increases accident risks.

Traffic police said the monitoring campaign will continue and be further strengthened, warning that strict action will be taken against anyone violating the rules. The public has also been urged to use only legally operated and safe ride-sharing services.

Officials added that the campaign aims to make urban transport more organized, safer, and technology-friendly, while calling on ride-sharing companies to strengthen oversight of their drivers and ensure compliance.

5 held for foreign employment fraud

In a separate development, the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested five individuals accused of defrauding people of large sums of money under the pretext of foreign employment.

The arrested include Arjun Bahadur Poudel (36) of Bardiya, Dilliram Bhujel (46) of Sarlahi, Uma Gurung (43) of Kathmandu, Aashish Mahat (33) of Pokhara, and Sangita Shrestha (35) of Ramechhap.

According to Superintendent of Police Manohar Prasad Bhatta, the accused individuals collected money by promising overseas jobs: Poudel allegedly took Rs 330,000 for Croatia, Bhujel Rs 299,000 for the Maldives, Gurung and Mahat Rs 200,000 each for the UK, and Shrestha Rs 368,000 for Portugal.

Police arrested them from different locations in Kathmandu and have sent them to the Department of Foreign Employment, Tahachal, for further investigation.