The World Bank is all set to support Nepal to install Global Positioning System (GPS) in all public vehicles plying across the country.
The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has given the go-ahead to this project scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.
According to Director at the DoTM Gokarna Prasad Upadhyaya, the procedure to form the project's modality has kicked off along with the World Bank's approval.
"We will appoint the consultant. Once they finalize all the modalities, additional procedures will begin," Upadhyaya told Setopati, "We've a plan to install the GPS in all public vehicles in Kathmandu within this fiscal year."
He further said that it has also planned to install GPS in government vehicles after installing GPS in all public vehicles.
The DoTM had written to World Bank for providing financial support after the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport approved in principle.
After the installation of GPS, it would be convenient for the traffic police to track vehicles and also to monitor vehicle speed. The DoTM also believes that GPS installation would aid in controlling criminal activities.
General Secretary of Federation of Nepali National Transport Entrepreneur (FNNTE) Saroj Sitaula commented that installation of GPS in public vehicles is a good task and also said that proper investigation should be done initially.
"The devices are dysfunctional in most of the vehicles installed with GPS due to the poor road condition," Sitaula said, "Infrastructures at all the places are not in a good state. A proper study should be carried out to know in which routes the GPS should be installed. Long-term and long-lasting programs should be implemented."
