Interaction program organized on 30 November 2025 (Sunday) in Birendranagar to share the findings and recommendations of the study conducted by Hriti Foundation in partnership with Purak Asia on “Public Transportation Situation and Management in Birendranagar” has concluded successfully. The event was held Birendranagar Surkhet.
The program witnessed the participation of a wide range of stakeholders, including Mohanmaya Dhakal, Mayor, Birendranagar Municipality, municipal officials, ward chairpersons, officials from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure under the Karnali Province Government, officers from the Traffic Police Office of both Karnali Province and Surkhet District, heads and representatives of various transportation associations, journalists, public vehicle drivers, representatives from the gender and sexual minority community, and regular public transportation using students.
During the event, Dinesh Gautam, Executive Director of Hriti Foundation, presented a summary of the study’s findings and recommendations on the public transportation situation and management in Birendranagar.
Following the presentation, an open floor discussion was held among participants. Students shared the hardships they faced while using public transportation, particularly three-wheeler auto-rickshaw and urged authorities to standardize fare rates and ensure the proper operation of municipal buses. Likewise, Anjali BC, representing the gender and sexual minority community, highlighted discriminatory treatment from some drivers, noting that many drivers deliberately avoid vehicle stopping for members of their community.
Krishna Budha, Secretary of Kakrebihar Yatayat Pvt. Ltd., shared that the operation of municipal buses in the past could not be continued due to legal complications. He recommended that the municipality work in cooperation with the private sector while advancing plans for municipal bus services.
Similarly, Jayaram Bajgain, Section Officer at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Government of Karnali Province, emphasized that all three tiers of government must play an equally responsible role and collaborate effectively to systematize public transportation. He further stressed the need to encourage private sector involvement to ensure sustainability.
Female auto-rickshaw driver Jamuna Rokaya shared the difficulties in obtaining a driving license and expressed support for the municipal bus initiative while urging that the livelihoods of existing drivers should not be jeopardized. She also called for standardized fare rates between municipal buses and auto-rickshaws.
Inspector Rohit Kumar Shahi, Chief of the Traffic Police Office Surkhet, underscored the need for collective responsibility and coordination among all stakeholders in transportation management. He noted that while citizens must adhere to traffic rules, the government should also ensure proper management of parking spaces, footpaths, and other related infrastructure.
Ward chairpersons and municipal officials stressed the necessity of municipal bus services in Birendranagar and called for strengthened coordination among all parties to enhance public transport management. They highlighted the importance of unified fare structures, improved traffic regulation, and better management of route permits, parking, and footpaths, along with the need to encourage private sector involvement.
In her concluding remarks as the chief guest, Mayor Mohanmaya Dhakal stated that such interaction programs should be conducted on a larger scale to engage more citizens. She emphasized that the municipality is committed to improving public transport management and called on all stakeholders to extend support and collaboration. She also acknowledged the commendable efforts of the Traffic Police and urged closer coordination with local authorities. Mayor Dhakal informed the participants that municipal bus operation has been widely demanded and that the municipality has allocated budget for its implementation in the current fiscal year, reaffirming the shared responsibility to make Birendranagar a well-managed and beautiful city.
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