Nepalgunj's city buses worth Rs 3.58 crore left to decay without ever running

Seven city buses bought by Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City for residents have been decaying without being put into operation. The sub-metropolis had purchased four 41-seater and three 36-seater buses in fiscal year 2075/76 using special grant funds.

About Rs 3.58 crore was spent on buying the buses. According to sub-metropolis spokesperson Pramod Rijal, the buses have reached a state where they cannot be used, just eight years after purchase.

Initially the sub-metropolis ran the buses itself with women conductors, but after it could not sustain the costs, it floated tenders for bus operation and the bus park. The tender set a minimum annual price of Rs 50 lakh for the seven buses and Rs 51 lakh for parking fees at the bus park.

Shiv Shakti General Order Suppliers won the contract for about Rs 1.37 crore a year. Spokesperson Rijal said that after incurring losses from running the buses, the contractor parked them at the bus park, where they have been sitting idle for three years.