Traffic Rule Violators May Face Fines Up to Rs. 50,000, SSP Warns of Kathmandu Traffic Crisis Within Two Years
Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Chief SSP Suresh Prasad Kafle has proposed increasing fines for traffic violations to as much as Rs. 50,000, arguing that current penalties are too low to deter offenders.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Suresh Prasad Kafle of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has proposed significantly increasing penalties for traffic rule violations, suggesting fines ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000.
Speaking during a meeting of the Federal Parliament's Infrastructure Development Committee on public transportation and freight management, Kafle stated that the existing fine structure of Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500 is insufficient to discourage traffic violations.
According to him, the current penalties fail to create a meaningful psychological deterrent among drivers. He argued that stricter financial penalties are necessary to encourage compliance with traffic laws and improve road discipline.
Kafle further warned that Kathmandu Valley’s traffic situation is becoming increasingly challenging due to rising vehicle numbers, limited road infrastructure, and the lack of technology-driven traffic management systems. Without immediate reforms and investment in modern traffic management technologies, he believes the capital could face a severe transportation crisis within the next two years.
He cautioned that traffic congestion could become so severe that even emergency vehicles such as ambulances may struggle to reach hospitals on time. Kafle emphasized the need for digital traffic monitoring systems, stricter enforcement measures, and broader transportation reforms to address the growing problem.