KATHMANDU: A high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal was held following the bus accident in Dhading that claimed multiple lives early Monday morning.
The meeting, attended by Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, heads of security agencies, and officials from the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
The committee decided to prioritize treatment for the injured and form an accident investigation committee to ascertain the facts and submit a report promptly for immediate action. The meeting also resolved to strengthen regulation in the transport sector and hold regulatory bodies and bus operators accountable.
To reduce road accidents in the future, the meeting called for strict enforcement of traffic laws and assigned responsibility to transport operators, drivers, and co-drivers.
Minister Aryal said rescue and treatment must be prioritized and directed concerned agencies to ensure no lapses occur. He instructed agencies to enforce road safety laws effectively to prevent similar incidents and bring those responsible for the accident under legal accountability.
Highlighting that large-scale road accidents could pose additional security challenges during the election period, the minister urged all stakeholders to act responsibly and proactively.
“No negligence can be tolerated regarding road and citizen safety. Impunity will not be allowed. All agencies must take responsibility to strengthen road safety,” Aryal said. “Recommendations from prior investigation committees and studies will be implemented, and traffic management, regulation, and monitoring on highways will be strengthened.”
Anand Kafle, spokesperson for the ministry, added that attention has been drawn to ensure there are no gaps in treatment for the injured. The meeting also stressed the need for safe and efficient transport management during the election period.
According to police, the bus (Ga 2 Kha 1421) traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu crashed around 1:30 am near the Trishuli River at Bhainsegauda, Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-5, Dhading. Seventeen passengers died on the spot, two others succumbed during treatment, and 25 injured passengers are receiving care in hospitals in Kathmandu.
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