Four-Hour Process for Embossed Numbers Shows Flaws in Kathmandu Transport System

Yesterday (Sunday), I went to the Transport Management Office in Gurjudhara (Kathmandu) to get an embossed number, as the government has made it mandatory for vehicles from September 17. They had specified the number plates for motorcycles and scooters.

But the process was extremely frustrating. First, I had to visit a shop near the office to fill out a form, pay the fee, and get insurance.

Then I stood in line at the bank to pay the tax for the current fiscal year and the embossed number fee. Even though the tax wasn’t due until next Kartik, it was made mandatory to pay it now to get the embossed number.

After that, I went to another window to get the bill for the paid fee, another line to wait in. Then I had to go to a different window to get a stamp, and there was a line there too.

Next, I went a little further to the designated block to collect my vehicle file. After requesting it from the employee, they retrieved the file but again, I had to wait in line.

Once I had the file, I climbed the stairs to first get a junior employee’s signature in one room, then a senior employee’s signature in another. Waiting in both lines was exhausting.

Then I had to go up again to a hut near the square to get the documents certified for the embossed number, where the line was even longer.

Next, I returned to the bank building to complete various procedures to receive the embossed number plate.

Finally, I went back to the square hut with my vehicle, where the assistants installed the embossed number plate. But the plate doesn’t fit easily on most motorcycles or scooters. I had to buy metal materials from a shop some distance away, install them, and even then wait in line again.

After installation, I had to stand in line once more at the same booth to stamp the blue book and a paper stating the plate was installed. Then I went back to the designated block for an officer to sign the stamped paper confirming I had received the plate.

I arrived at 10 am and finished at 2 pm, four hours for a process that should not take nearly a full workday. Motorcycle and scooter owners are required to handle this themselves.

Bagmati Province has at least one million motorcycles and scooters, most of which don’t have embossed numbers yet. Residents from Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and other districts must travel to Gurjudhara, a remote area of Kathmandu, as it is the only designated location in the province. There is no alternative.

We pay revenue and taxes, so why should taxpayers face this unnecessary struggle? The head of the office who cannot manage this hassle is failing in their duty. There is no need to wait for instructions from Singha Durbar to resolve the situation. After taking a token and paying the prescribed fee, service recipients should receive the embossed number immediately. All processes should be completed within the same building.

Who wants to go through this exhausting procedure? It would be far better to arrange a middleman. By paying even five hundred to a thousand rupees, service recipients could avoid this unnecessary stress.

(Based on the experience shared by journalist Prakriti Adhikari on Facebook)

पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: भदौ २, २०८२ १७:१६

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