KATHMANDU: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has started talks with transport operators after they launched an indefinite nationwide strike from Monday. The protest began in response to the government’s move to allow ride-sharing and self-drive services.
The Home Minister’s private secretariat confirmed that discussions are currently taking place at the ministry with his direct participation.
The strike, called by the ‘Public Transport Protection Central Struggle Committee’, has forced public vehicles across the country to stay parked in garages. This has caused major difficulties for daily commuters, with many unable to reach work or essential services.
While the movement started in Gandaki Province after the provincial government introduced new rules to officially permit ride-sharing platforms and self-drive rentals, transport entrepreneurs have now expanded the protest nationwide.
Due to the strike, both short- and long-distance public transport services have come to a stop. Only private vehicles were seen on the roads, making even the usually busy streets of Kathmandu look empty.
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