December 27: The Department of Forests and Environment has concluded that automobile emission is the major cause of air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley.    
The department said it has intensified tests to check fuel emission from vehicles since December 16 and is preparing to expand the drive in other major cities of the country gradually. In the period of less than two weeks, 28 vehicles have been fined for violating the standards.    
The department has warned that any vehicle failing emission test will be fined up to Rs 100,000 in accordance with the Environment Conservation Act.    
The department’s Spokesperson Shankar Prasad Poudel said surprise checking supported by smoke densitometer is being carried out in the valley since mid-December. Those vehicles failing the test were initially fined Rs 5,000 each and asked to come for re-test within three days after maintenance. If they fail the test for the second time, they will be fined Rs 100,000, the department said.    
During the tests, it was found that public vehicles based in the Kathmandu Valley are being operated with exhausted engines. Vehicles failing the emission test will not be allowed to ply until they pass the test. -- RSS