KATHMANDU: The government has launched a road ambulance service to repair potholes across Kathmandu immediately, marking the first time Nepal has introduced such a mechanism for rapid road maintenance.
Minister for Urban Development Kulman Ghising, who also oversees Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Physical Infrastructure and Transport, inaugurated the service on Thursday after the Kathmandu Road Division Office brought it into operation.
According to the Division, the road ambulance will be deployed across strategic and high-traffic sections within Kathmandu district to ensure swift, on-the-spot maintenance of damaged road sections.
Along with the ambulance, the government has also rolled out a mobile application that allows the public to instantly upload photos of potholes. The system will update the repair status once maintenance is completed, enabling real-time tracking and transparency.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ghising said the road ambulance has been launched as a model initiative and will be replicated in other major cities. “We need to enhance road maintenance with modern equipment, just like in developed countries,” he said, adding that the new system aims to address recurring public grievances over road conditions.
Physical Infrastructure and Transport Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma and Department of Roads Director General Bijay Jaishi expressed confidence that the new mechanism would help address road-related complaints promptly.
Chief District Officer Ishwar Raj Paudel said the initiative would make road repair work more effective and transparent.
Kathmandu Road Division Chief Subodh Kumar Devkota stated that the ambulance will remain active 24/7 throughout the year, ensuring immediate response and smooth mobility across the city.
A trained technical team will accompany the ambulance, repairing potholes on-site, with warning lights activated for traffic management during operations—even during peak hours, the department said.
On Thursday night, Minister Ghising visited the Tinkune area to inspect the ambulance’s field operation.
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