In the wake of rising road accidents, the government is preparing to adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards public transportation by strictly applying the law. Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) is preparing to circulate four-point directives to the District Administration Offices (DAO) to penalise violators.

At least 50 people have died in two deadly accidents in less than two weeks in the country, prompting criticism of the government for its failure to rein in private transport ‘syndicates’—who pack passenger vehicles beyond seating capacity—and implement laws.

At least 22 people died and about two dozen were injured when a passenger bus veered off the road along the Narayanghad-Mugling section of the highway and and fell into Trishuli River. On Saturday, seven people were injured when a truck met with an accident along the same route.

Responding to criticism of its failure, MoHA has issuing a circular to its line agencies instructing them not to allow any vehicle to carry passengers more than its seating capacity, strict monitoring of the load bearing capacity of the vehicles, ensuring that there are two drivers in long-distance buses and that public transportation comply with the terms and conditions laid out in the route permit. “We need some stringent measures to be effectively implemented by all the concerned parties to ensure the road safety,” said Yadav Koirala, spokesperson for MoHA.

The directive issued by MoHA states that the passenger carrying vehicles will not be allowed to transport heavy loads and goods, including livestock. Likewise, the district authorities responsible for issuing road permits to the vehicles are directed to completely ban the movement of large vehicles along the narrow and one-way road sections in the country.

“The district authorities have also been asked to submit a report about the status of roads in their areas,” said Koirala.

Even in the past MoHA has issued similar directives in the wake of accidents, but with little effect on accident rates.

A total of 2,006 people died in road accidents in the fiscal year 2015-2016. Driver’s negligence, speeding, drink driving, reckless pedestrian crossing, poor road conditions are among the reasons for increasing road traffic accidents, according to the Nepal Police.

The country witnessed an average of 27 accidents and five deaths a day in road accidents in the fiscal 2015/16, according to statistics.

The Nepal Road Safety Action Plan (2013-2020), prepared by Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, states that bus accidents along the long-distance routes are of serious concern, accounting for 13 and 31 percent of all the fatalities and serious injuries respectively in the country.

PM concerned over high accident rate Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed concern over the increasing road accidents. During a meeting with Prabhu Sah, a CPN (Moaist Centre) lawmaker from Rautahat district on Saturday morning, PM Dahal mentioned that the government was working on ways to mitigate the accidents and save the lives. Sah has asked PM Dahal to provide support for the treatment of the injured and adequate compensation for the families of those who died in the bus accident on Friday morning. The bus was en route to Pokhara from Rautahat.