Embossed Number Plates: Burden Over Benefit
Summary
Nepal plans to mandate embossed number plates for all vehicles from September 17 despite lagging infrastructure, high fees, and public opposition, causing widespread concern over burdens placed on citizens.
Key Points
- The Nepalese government plans to mandate embossed vehicle number plates starting September 17 despite incomplete infrastructure and supply shortages.
- Only about 100,000 of the 6.5 million registered vehicles currently have embossed plates, with only 2.5 million plates procured against high demand.
- The project has faced legal hurdles, including a Supreme Court order to use Devanagari script and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Civil society, transport federations, and citizens protest against the high fees and lack of consultation, citing issues of national pride and administrative overreach.
