Embossed Vehicle Personalosed Number Plates

The government intends to make embossed number plates mandatory for all vehicles nationwide.

The government is set to implement a nationwide mandate for embossed number plates.

Embossed number plates are poised to become compulsory for all vehicles across the country.

The government is preparing to enforce the use of embossed number plates on all vehicles throughout the nation.

The nationwide adoption of embossed number plates is on the government's agenda.

Mandatory Embossed Number Plates: Government Yields to Contractor Pressure

The Nepalese government has bowed to pressure from Tiger Decatur, the contractor responsible for installing embossed number plates, and is making the plates mandatory for all vehicles. This decision comes amidst a stockpile of 350,000 printed plates and a controversial project marred by concerns over durability, infrastructure limitations, and the writing script.

The contract, initially signed in 2016, tasked Tiger Decatur with printing 2.5 million embossed plates. However, the project has encountered numerous challenges, including durability issues, inadequate infrastructure for reading the plates, and the use of an uncommon script.

The extended contract agreement now mandates completion of the remaining 2.1 million plates by June 2025. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a hefty penalty of USD 38.7 million payable to Tiger Decatur, placing the government in a delicate position.

To expedite the installation process, the government has implemented a policy that incentivizes timely completion of the project. This means that Tiger Decatur's payment will be directly linked to the pace of installation.

In line with the government directive, the Transport Management Office in Pokhara has already made embossed number plates mandatory for newly registered vehicles. Similar measures are being planned for other provinces, including Bagmati.

Despite the ongoing concerns regarding the embossed number plates, the government's decision to make them mandatory demonstrates its willingness to address the contractor's concerns and ensure timely completion of the project. The focus on expediting installation should help address the current backlog and pave the way for a more efficient and secure vehicle registration system in Nepal.