KATHMANDU, July 14: The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has distributed smart cards to 152,000 out of the 1.7 million people who passed the trial and are waiting for their licenses as of last week. The DoTM began distributing license cards from mid-May after purchasing new cards.
The number of people waiting for a smart license card after taking the trial at the DoTM has exceeded 1.7 million. However, the DoTM has been able to distribute cards to only 152,202 people in the past two months. The DoTM is printing and distributing 400 cards daily for emergency cases. The DoTM started printing cards on April 13 but began distributing them only from mid-May.
Thus, with the DoTM distributing 150,000 license cards in two months, it will take another two years to distribute cards to the 1.7 million people on the waiting list. The DoTM is currently able to print 2,500 to 3,000 cards daily.
According to the DoTM, 51,216 cards have been distributed in Sudurpaschim Province, including 15,145 at the Transport Management Office, Mahakali, 31,739 at Seti, 1,315 at Doti, and 3,017 at Dadeldhura. Similarly, in Karnali Province, 11,061 cards have been distributed, including 7,888 at the Transport Management Office, Surkhet, 1,662 at Jumla, and 1,511 at Chaurjahari.
Similarly, 89,185 smart cards have been distributed in Lumbini Province, including 48,966 at the Rapti office, 35,470 at Bheri in Nepalgunj, and 4,749 at Palpa.
In Bagmati Province, only 740 units have been distributed. The DoTM initially began distribution in provinces where fewer cards were required. As a result, it will take more time for smart card distribution in Gandaki and Bagmati provinces.