January 27: The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has formed an expert-led panel to seek recommendations to bring about reforms in the country’s public transportation system.    
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Narayan Kaji Shrestha formed the ‘study taskforce on vehicle pollution, road safety and road accident reduction’.    
Former secretary Sharad Chandra Paudel is the coordinator of the seven-member taskforce. The taskforce is assigned to prepare a report based on its study.    
Former Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Nepal Police Bigyan Raj Sharma, Prof Dr Padam Bahadur Shahi of Pulchowk Engineering Campus, public transport expert Madhu Sudan Acharya and engineer Bijay Gautam are the members of the taskforce.    
The taskforce shall have a representative from the public transport entrepreneur.    
Director General of the Department of Transport Management Dr Tokraj Pandey is the member-secretary of the taskforce, the ministry said in a press statement. -- RSS