Kathmandu, Jan 21: The District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu has clarified that the odd-even number system put in place for both private and public vehicles in Kathmandu Valley would not be effective for all vehicles.    

The vehicles of essential services and supplies will be allowed to operate unhindered during this period. The DAO, Kathmandu had ordered an odd-even system for vehicles in the Valley effective from Friday midnight.    

As per the system, vehicles with odd-registration numbers will operate on odd days (according to the Nepali lunar calendar) and even registration on even days. The system is going to be implemented to prevent overcrowding of people in view of the growing risks of COVID-19.    

To clear off the confusion surrounding the odd-even number system in the vehicles, the DAO Kathmandu said that ambulances, hearse, fire brigade, vehicles supplying gas, oxygen cylinders and petroleum products will be allowed to ply the roads irrespective of their number plates.    

Also, those vehicles carrying medicine and healthcare tools and materials, food items and agricultural products will be allowed, a statement signed by DAO officiating chief district officer Suprabha Khanal.    

Vehicles carrying construction materials, vehicles related to banks and financial institutions, aviation companies, postal and courier services, telecommunications services and journalists carrying identity cards issued by the Department of Information and Broadcasting or their respective media houses are exempted from odd-even number system.    

The vehicles belonging to government agencies and diplomatic missions will be allowed to ply the road since the implementation of the odd-even number system.