Bus operators in Kavre have threatened to block Sajha Yatayat’s plan of extending its route up to Dhulikhel. Sajha, which recently launched its bus service up to Sanga from Suryabinayak of Bhaktapur, is now aiming to expand the service up to  Dhulikhel Municipality in Kavre. This ambition of Sajha has upset the Kavre Minibus Operator Committee, who feel their business would be robbed if the public cooperative transport company were to run its service in Kavre.

While Dhulikhel Municipality and its people are in favour of Sajha’s plan— the municipality is said to be considering buying a stake in Sajha, the transport operators in Kavre are not pleased.

At the 39th general assembly of the Kavre Minibus Committee on Thursday, transport operators showed their concerns regarding Sajha’s plan, which they have termed an incursion bid in their business. They accused Sajha of trying to create its monopoly over the public transport industry.

“Sajha’s monopoly has caused problems for the private transport operators,” said Sur Krishna Vaidhya, a local transport operator.

Noting that private transport operators had invested Rs 400 billion in the public transportation sector, he warned that Sajha’s entry would cause them financial loss.

“Sajha should instead focus on introducing its service in rural areas,” he said.

Dilli Ram Shahi, chairperson of  Kavra Bus Operators’ Association, suggested that all private transport operators should stand up against Sajha’s plan to operate its buses in Kavre.

“We should not allow Sajha to run its fleet in Kavre at any cost,” he said.

Some transport operators, meanwhile, suggested giving Sajha a competition by improving the their services and introducing new vehicles.

“The only way to challenge Sajha is by introducing our own concept of city bus,” said Aatma Ram Thapa, chairman of Himal Tarai Yatayat Samiti.

Shyam Lama , chairperson of  Araniko Transport Operators’ Association, seconded Thapa and proposed introducing better vehicles and facilities than Sajha.