Transport entrepreneurs clash over alleged extortion on Kailali highway

Dhangadhi: Tensions have erupted among transport entrepreneurs over allegations of extortion along various sections of the East-West Highway in Kailali district, including Attariya, Syaule, Lamki, Chipasani, and Tikapur.

Entrepreneurs claim that unauthorized fees of Rs 100 and Rs 50 are being forcibly collected from taxis operating along these routes, particularly on trips between Dhangadhi, Tikapur, and Nepalgunj. Accusing the Joint Transport Committee of extorting money, transport operators staged a protest and halted operations on Saturday in response to the situation.

In protest, taxi drivers and operators from Dhangadhi traveled to Lamki without carrying passengers, alleging that extortion was being conducted under the guise of transport management. Several transport companies, including Godavari Transport Pvt. Ltd., Paschim Star Transport Pvt. Ltd., Sundar Karnali, Sundar Sudurpaschim, Sunaulo Sudurpaschim, Malika, Khaptad Malika, Khaptad, Dhangadhi Transport, and Kailali Transport Pvt. Ltd., jointly staged demonstrations to draw attention to their grievances.

Transport entrepreneur Mahesh Raj Bhatta expressed unawareness about the Joint Transport Committee's activities and accused the committee of exploiting transport operators. Meanwhile, Dipesh Paudyal, another transport entrepreneur, highlighted the difficulties faced by passengers, particularly patients, due to vehicles being forced to reroute and return midway.

A discussion was held with Kamal Shrestha, in-charge of the Lamki-Chisapani branch of Sundar Sudurpaschim Transport Pvt. Ltd., who assured that efforts would be made to regulate the situation.

The Joint Transport Management Committee of Kailali, formed recently, has defended its actions. Coordinator Padam Bahadur Sapkota stated that private-numbered electric vehicles were being stopped because they were operating illegally as public transport. According to him, over 35 unregistered private electric vehicles have been transporting passengers unlawfully in Kailali, often paying traffic fines of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 and continuing operations.

Sapkota further claimed that some electric vehicles with red number plates were illegally altering their registration to black number plates to bypass regulations. He insisted that measures were taken to control unauthorized transport services, which allegedly led to the ongoing protests.