Kathmandu, April 11 -- When the government, in December last year, announced that it would purchase and operate 300 electric buses in major cities soon, the news was met with optimism. The step seemed like part of a mega plan to revolutionise the country's public transport system and a great way to lessen air pollution.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota had publicly announced that the government would import big e-vehicles as part of the government's policy to promote electric transport system in the country.

But four months have passed and not a single step has been taken so far, which government officials say is due to a lack of policy and expertise.

"There has been talk about operating batte...