Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepal Truck Transport Entrepreneurs (FNTE) and Sanima Bank Limited have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to make payment of the entry and user charges levied while using the Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola tunnel way through the cashless system.

As per the agreement, the fees to enter the tunnel will be managed through RFID system and trucks and other entrepreneurs will be made easy to pay the fees through QR code. It is expected that the payment process would be easier and more transparent, eliminating the compulsion for the entrepreneurs to carry fees carrying cash.

The agreement was signed by Rajendra Bikram Baniya on behalf of Federation of Truck Transport Entrepreneurs and Hem Raj Sanjyal, Chief Deposit Officer of Sanima Bank.

Earlier, the government had decided to collect fees from the vehicles plying along the Nagdhunga tunnel way in exercise of the powers given by the Clause 6 (sub-section (1) of the Road Board Act, 2058 BS. In line with the same decision, the Ministry has fixed the entry and exit fees for various vehicles by publishing a notice in the gazette.

As per the fixed rate, car, van, pick-up, tractor, microbus and other light vehicles have to pay Rs 65 for entering Kathmandu and Rs 60 for exiting Kathmandu.

Similarly, mini-buses and mini-tipper trucks have to pay Rs 115 while entering the tunnel and Rs 80 when exiting. The entry fee for buses and trucks with single rear axle has been fixed at Rs 260 and Rs 200 for exit.

The entry fee for multi-axle trucks and other heavy vehicles and heavy equipment has been fixed at Rs 600 and Rs 250 for exit.

Federation President Baniya believes that the implementation of the cashless payment system will make it easier for trucks and cargo vehicles to pay fees especially to those who regularly use the tunnel route.