Kathmandu. The Department of Environment and Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office on Wednesday conducted a pollution test in Kathmandu under the direction of Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Geeta Chaudhary.

According to the Department of Environment, 20 (52.64 per cent) of 38 vehicles were found not meeting the pollution standards set by the government.

According to Saroj Kumar Chaudhary, deputy director at the Department of Environment, the vehicles flouting the criteria were immediately initiated.

“A total of 38 vehicles were tested in front of the Department of Roads at Babarmahal. Of them, 20 vehicles were found not meeting the enormous standards. We have initiated action against the vehicles violating the standard as per the prevailing laws,” said Deputy Director Chaudhary.

According to the Department, necessary action has been taken against the vehicles not meeting the pollution standard as per the prevailing law. According to the Department, the pollution test has been conducted with the objective of reducing air pollution, controlling the amount of smoke emitted from vehicles and ensuring clean environment.

Stating that vehicular smoke is the major source of air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley, the Department said such joint pollution test has been continued to make pollution control effective.

The Ministry has urged vehicle owners to carry out maintenance of vehicles on time, conduct regular pollution tests and follow the set pollution standard.

The Department of Environment has said that such pollution tests will continue in the coming days as well and action will be taken against the vehicles violating the standard.