Prakash Kafle/Kathmandu. Five electric buses that had remained unused in Lumbini for the past six years were brought into operation from Chaitra 18 following instructions from Prime Minister Balen Shah. Although the service was resumed after a long gap, it could not continue for long and was halted within just 48 hours.
The Lumbini Development Trust was unable to manage the necessary operations, manpower, and operational structure, which led to the failure of the bus service. As a result, the buses once again became idle after being briefly put into operation. Following this, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation decided to deploy the buses elsewhere, sending them to airports in Pokhara, Surkhet, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi via Gautam Buddha International Airport.
This incident highlights serious weaknesses in public transport management in the Lumbini region. Due to a lack of proper infrastructure, planning, and long-term strategy, a promising project failed in a very short time. The inability to effectively utilize environmentally friendly electric buses has raised questions about management efficiency.
Although the buses are now being used at other airports, it remains uncertain when a well-managed and sustainable public transport system will be established in Lumbini. This has clearly highlighted the urgent need for transport improvement in Lumbini, a region of international religious and tourist importance.
