February 4: Gandaki Province government has decided to scrap 25-year-old private vehicles in the province. This is the first time that such a provision has been made for private vehicles in the country. So far, the provision of 20-year limit for operation is applicable only to public transport vehicles under the federal law.    
The new provision has come into effect in Gandaki Province after the Gandaki Province Vehicle and Transport Regulations, 2080, was published in the provincial gazette last Thursday.    
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, Tikaram Paudel, said that the age of private vehicles has been set at 25 years for the first time in Nepal.    
The limit for e-public vehicles is thirty years. The regulation mentions that the ministry can create and issue necessary standards to convert public and other vehicles into electric vehicles.    
Spokesperson Paudel said that the regulations have also provided legal ground to regulate and legalize the transport services provided through Ride Sharing apps. As per the new provision, transportation service can be provided through the use of Ride Sharing App at specified fares after completing the necessary procedures along with passenger insurance.    
The regulations have also increased the fine to be paid by taxis that do not run on the meter system. From now on, the minimum rate of fine will be increased to Rs 10,000 from existing 2,100. Furthermore, the road permit license can be suspended for six months as the maximum penalty.    
There are around 3,500 taxis operating in Gandaki Province including 2,500 in Pokhara alone. -- RSS