Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The task force formed to investigate the twin bus accidents in Simaltal on the Muglin-Narayanghat road in Chitwan district has identified weak geography and a lack of retaining walls as the causes of the accident.
Landslide debris swept away two moving passenger buses – one coming to Kathmandu from Birgunj and the other heading to Gaur from Kathmandu – at around 3:am on July 12. Rescue workers recovered 24 bodies, while 38 are still missing.
Joint Secretary Chhabi Rijal, coordinator of the task force, handed over the study report to Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak on Tuesday.
The report states that the accident site has weak geography and is extremely steep. Rijal explained that due to the lack of retaining walls, the landslide caused by heavy rainfall pushed two buses into the Trishuli River.
The study also found that rural road construction in the upper regions did not consider overall environmental factors, impacting the lower areas.
After receiving the report, Home Minister Lekhak assured that the government would develop necessary policies to reduce accidents and committed to implementing the task force’s recommendations.
