KATHMANDU: Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association (NTVA), Gandaki Province, has called for stricter monitoring and management of foreign vehicles being used illegally in Nepal.
In a statement issued on Thursday, NTVA President Durgadatta Dahal highlighted the rising risks of accidents caused by the unregulated use of foreign vehicles, urging authorities to enforce proper management in accordance with the law.
“The association has repeatedly raised concerns about reducing accidents by regulating foreign vehicles, but some media outlets have misinterpreted our stance and published negative reports,” the statement said. Dahal clarified that under current law, foreign vehicles are permitted by the Department of Transport to operate in Nepal for a maximum of one week per entry, and a vehicle can only enter the country for a total of 29 days in a year.
The association noted that these regulations are frequently bypassed. Transport operators from Nepal and India reportedly purchase private and rental vehicles at low cost in India and operate them year-round in Nepal without proper oversight.
Dahal also raised concern over recent practices that put tourists at risk, such as transporting visitors from border points to high Himalayan districts like Mustang and Manang in a single day. The statement highlighted incidents of foreign drivers consuming alcohol and driving at night, increasing accident risks, and noted that some tourists bypass permit requirements in Annapurna Conservation Area and Upper Mustang.
To address these challenges, NTVA demanded that authorities implement rigorous checks, proper registration, and strict control of foreign vehicles in line with legal requirements. Dahal also called for regulated parking in busy tourist hubs like Pokhara and other key destinations and stricter enforcement against illegal cooking and littering in public areas.
The association expressed confidence that effective implementation of these regulations would make Nepal’s tourism sector safer, more organized, and sustainable.
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