Keeping in mind the high traffic congestion in Kathmandu Valley, the Department of Transport Management (DOTM) has initiated the process to stop the registration of new buses, mini buses, and trucks in Bagmati zone and remove 20-year old buses, trucks and taxis by 13 January 2005.

As of 15 January 2004, there were 2596 buses, 2564 mini buses and 4193 trucks registered in Bagmati zone. As most of the vehicles registered in Bagmati zone are on the streets of Kathmandu, causing traffic jams and air pollution, DOTM has started the process of stopping registration of these heavy vehicles.

Vehicle owners will be allowed to take their old vehicles to other parts of the country, except Pokhara and Lumbini, and they will also be allowed to register a new vehicle. This decision had been made a few years ago, but it has not yet been implemented. The government is currently discussing the implementation of this decision with transport entrepreneurs.

So far about 650 new taxis have been registered in Bagmati zone according to this policy. The government remove all 20 year old taxis from the Valley by 15 November 2004.

Meanwhile, the government is also considering removal of government-owned 2-stroke motorcycles and 20-year old vehicles from the Valley. DOTM estimates that there are 1500 such vehicles in the Valley.