Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has started taking control of the vehicles that are emitting smoke in the Kathmandu Valley. On Monday, the Traffic Police held a press conference and impounded 37 vehicles that did not pass the inspection pass and were emitting excessive smoke on the road.

Spokesperson of the Kathmandu Traffic Police Office and Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi said that 16 buses of utensils, 14 pickup vans, four school buses, two private cars and one hired car were impounded in course of checking at different places of the Kathmandu Valley.

“A total of 37 vehicles were impounded for emitting excessive smoke and not having vehicle inspection passes”, he added. According to the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 2049 BS, action is taken against the impounded vehicles for not driving the vehicles that are not in good condition. ’

Kathmandu Traffic Police Office Chief and Senior Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Adhikari said 37 vehicles were impounded on Monday in order to control air pollution and minimise road accidents.

“Excessive smog driving pollutes the environment, which affects the health of the public,” he said. Likewise, I urge all drivers and vehicle owners to repair and operate vehicles only in good condition as there is a high risk of accident while driving unrepaired vehicles. ’

He urged the drivers to check the technical condition of the vehicles from time to time and prevent the expiry of the test pass period. According to the Traffic Police, the documents of the vehicles seized on Monday will be returned only after completing the necessary repair work and paying the prescribed fine. Prior to this, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police had been regularly taking action against the vehicles emitting smoke and those not having the inspection pass.

Giving priority to the control of air pollution, the Traffic Police has been carrying out health checks, monitoring and driving awareness programmes of old petrol and diesel vehicles. In addition, it has been conducting an informative campaign for drivers regarding vehicle inspection passes and insurance renewal.

According to environmentalists, old vehicles emitting excessive smog are the main cause of air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley. It has been found to increase health problems especially in children, the elderly and asthma patients.

KATHMANDU — The Kathmandu Traffic Police Office is preparing to add a mobile emission test unit to make the vehicle smoke test more effective. According to the office, such checking campaign will be continued in the coming days as well and more strict will be taken against the vehicles operating against the rules. The Traffic Police has also called for cooperation with the general public to make the traffic management in the Kathmandu Valley operational and safe.