Smart License Printing to Resume Despite Fire at DoTM
Smart license printing
19th September 2025, Kathmandu
The Transport Management Department at Min Bhawan is moving to resume services despite a fire that caused significant damage during the recent Gen-Z protests.
Smart license printing
The fire destroyed machines and approximately 6 lakh smart licenses. However, a crucial data backup ensures that no applicant information was lost.
This quick response means smart license printing can continue, minimizing disruption for citizens. The government is also coordinating with other departments to manage the backlog.
Minister Kulman Ghising has confirmed the recovery plans. He stated that the department’s servers and data remained safe, which is a major relief. The fire, which gutted the printing machines and destroyed a large number of physical licenses, initially created widespread concern. However, with the data secure, the focus now shifts to restoring the physical infrastructure and resuming operations.
Resuming Services and Addressing the Backlog
The department has announced that services will resume with the help of the National ID and Registration Department. This inter-departmental cooperation will allow for the immediate printing of urgent licenses.
This is a crucial step to reduce the inconvenience caused to the public. The fire also highlighted the importance of robust data management and recovery systems for government services.
The destruction of the printing machines has created a new challenge. However, Minister Ghising has assured the public that a tender process for new materials is already underway.
This will allow the department to continue with the printing of the remaining 25 lakh smart licenses. The license renewal process is also expected to benefit from these new arrangements, ensuring a smoother experience for applicants.
The Importance of Data Backup
The successful recovery of the data backup is a significant victory. It underscores the importance of digital resilience for essential government services.
Without this backup, the personal and driving information of millions of citizens would have been lost. This could have led to a complete system failure. The DoTM fire serves as a stark reminder of the need for advanced security measures and disaster recovery protocols in all government institutions.
The department’s swift action in coordinating with other agencies demonstrates a commitment to public service. They are working to ensure that the lives of citizens are not severely impacted by the fire.
The recovery plan is comprehensive, covering everything from immediate printing needs to long-term infrastructure reconstruction. The ministry is determined to make sure that the smart license system becomes even more resilient and efficient in the future.
Looking Ahead to Future Improvements
The fire has also brought to light the need for a more decentralized approach to smart license printing. The reliance on a single printing facility has proven to be a vulnerability.
In the future, the government might consider setting up multiple printing centers across the country. This would prevent a similar disruption from happening again. This incident is a wake-up call for the entire government to invest more in secure digital infrastructure.
The public can expect a gradual return to normalcy. The department is working hard to clear the backlog and get the new system running smoothly.
The Minister’s assurance and the quick action plan have instilled confidence in the public. The recovery from the DoTM fire is a test of the government’s ability to adapt and overcome unexpected challenges.
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