Kathmandu, April 16 -- awaited law to govern and facilitate ride-hailing services-now a key mode of transport and a growing business in the Kathmandu valley-has once again slipped into uncertainty, despite repeated court orders to introduce a regulatory framework.

In February 2020, the Patan High Court directed the government to regulate ride-hailing services. Six years on, progress remains stalled. In January last year, the Supreme Court reiterated the need to fast-track legislation, underscoring the urgency of bringing the sector under legal oversight.

Yet Bagmati Province, which has been leading efforts to draft a regulatory framework, now says the process will take more time.

The province began drafting ride-hailing guidelines near...