KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have raised concerns in the House of Representatives regarding the mental health of drivers and the conduct of traffic police following the death of Arjun Dong in a bus fire at Tripureshwor.
During Tuesday’s emergency session, members of the Rastriya Swatantra Party questioned the current state of transport management in the country.
Lawmaker Kranti Shikha Dhital emphasized that the state must address the working conditions of transport workers. She stated, ‘The future of many passengers is linked to these drivers.
We cannot ignore their self-respect, dignity, facilities, salary, food, and physical and mental health.’ Dhital also called for a review of how traffic police interact with drivers on the road, suggesting that the current approach may be contributing to tragic incidents.
Lawmaker Ashish Gajurel argued that the government’s focus on fines and penalties is insufficient for effective traffic management. He urged the state to invest in psychological support and awareness programs for drivers. ‘We have prioritized taking penalties, fines, and punitive actions, believing it will reduce accidents and ease traffic management,’ Gajurel said.
He noted that existing regulations, which limit a driver to six hours or 250 kilometers of driving per day, are not being effectively enforced. He advocated for the integration of technology to improve traffic systems and reduce the pressure on both drivers and police.
Meanwhile, lawmaker Ashika Tamang proposed that traffic police officers should wear body cameras to ensure accountability. She argued that instead of making decisions on the road based solely on checking licenses and vehicle documents, the process should be based on factual evidence captured through photo and video recordings.
