Strike halts Nepal's transport

By Navin Khadka
BBC correspondent in Kathmandu

Tens of thousands of commuters have been stranded in Nepal as transport workers began an indefinite nationwide strike on Tuesday.

Transport operators do not want small buses to work on long routes

The transport operators say they will not resume operations unless their demands are met.

Government officials say transport associations are insisting that small vehicles should be banned from working on long routes.

But the government says this demand is illegal.

The transporters' strike began more than a week ago but was limited to western Nepal until Monday.

Heavy vehicles

It became nationwide from Tuesday after transport operators from the eastern parts of the country joined the protest.

More than 8,000 heavy vehicles, including buses, trucks and minibuses are off the roads.

Some goods maybe in short supply

A few independent companies said they would continue their services. But they will not be able to satisfy demand.

Tens of thousands of passengers are stranded across the Mahendra Highway that connects most parts of the country.

The strike has hampered supplies of basic goods leading to shortages.

Associations representing the transport operators have blamed the government for not keeping its promise to revise transport fares and introduce an insurance policy for passengers.

But government officials say transport associations are pressing for a ban on small vehicles like microbuses and jeeps on long routes.

A spokesman for the Transport Ministry said that demand was illegal because the law allows all vehicles to work on both the long and short routes.

Talks between transporters and ministry officials broke down last Saturday and they have not met since.