Unused Lumbini EVs Nepal: Mismanagement, Legal Issues Stall Green Tourism
29th April 2025, Kathmandu
Electric vehicles (EVs) introduced in Lumbini for tourism are now lying unused. Despite their modern features, the vehicles have faced repeated damage and misuse. Legal issues and a lack of management are to blame.
Unused Lumbini EVs Nepal
The Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) received 19 EVs on 26 May 2022. These included 14 vans and 5 air-conditioned buses. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation handed them over under the Clean Energy Program. The project was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). These EVs aimed to offer eco-friendly transport to Lumbini’s pilgrims and tourists.
However, most vehicles have not served their purpose. Misuse, neglect, and accidents have stalled the initiative. In one case, on 26 April, van number Lu 1 Jha 696 crashed in the Lumbini village area. Its front section was badly damaged.
Unauthorized Driving Raises Concern
Earlier, on 5 April, locals caught two individuals using the same van. Neither were the staff of the Trust. Similarly, on 3 August, an LDT information officer, Rajen Basnet, was found driving illegally. He caused an accident that injured a resident and destroyed a motorcycle.
Another van (Lu 1 Jha 694) was damaged during this same incident. The Trust’s technical team estimated repair costs of over Rs. 2.8 million.
Fleet in Disrepair
Currently, several vans and buses are in poor condition. One van is missing a door handle. Tires are punctured or missing. Four out of five buses have broken air conditioning systems. One bus has a cracked windshield.
These EVs were equipped with modern features. They offered 400 km of travel per charge, had automated doors, and supported smart card payments. They were also accessible to people with disabilities. Sadly, none of this potential has been realized.
Court Intervention Ignored
Earlier, the court had ordered LDT to begin operations within one month. The vehicles needed green number plates to start service. The court ruling demanded the change and asked that EVs be used as intended by donors. However, the deadline has already passed. No progress has been made.
Activists Demand Action
Akramuddin Khan from the Save Lumbini Campaign expressed concern. “The vehicles are still idle. The authorities are not taking action,” he said.
LDT Treasurer Siddhicharan Bhattarai responded. “We were delayed due to confusion about number plates,” he explained. “Now we’re starting the process to get green plates and run the EVs properly.”
Conclusion
Lumbini’s EV project could have been a model for green tourism in Nepal. But weak management, legal delays, and misuse have kept the vehicles off the road. Immediate action is needed. If not, a costly opportunity will be lost—along with public trust in such initiatives.
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