Kathmandu, March 11 -- The Environment Department under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced that it would prohibit polluting vehicles from plying the streets from next week, as many vehicle owners and drivers did not take the metropolis' warnings seriously.

Officials say that many vehicles that were fined for emitting black smoke beyond permissible levels, have either ignored the warnings of the city office or taken measures only to avoid fines.

"We have decided to take stringent measures against polluting vehicles, which include restricting them from plying the roads from next week," said Jagatman Shrestha, traffic expert adviser at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City office. "Stern actions will be taken as per the mandates given...