Time To Forge Ahead

THE Bikram Era has added another year to its account and Nepal one more year to its democratic exercises. New Year 2058 B.S. has arrived. Like every year, the New Year brings with itself the hopes of better days ahead and the fulfilment of the expectation and aspirations. But it would be naive to think that they would be met plainly by wishing for them. The hard nut has to be cracked if dreams are to be materialised. There should be greater commitment and zeal if this year is to be way ahead of that which has passed. The year that has ended is cause enough for review in an attempt to glean what were not accomplished or what went wrong. That would be the basis for the right plan of action in the New Year. The year that has passed saw the celebration of the 11th year of restoration of democracy gained through the Popular Movement. The people then had expected to enjoy the fruits of democracy, characterised by the fundamental rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. However, threats to democratic system by extra-judicial activities and endless political strife witnessed over the years have been some of the factors that have not proved to be welcome ones in a democracy. They have started feeling that they have been deprived of their fundamental rights. All this highlights to the importance of political stability in the country which alone can guarantee peace and thereby prosperity. The foremost concern is raising the living standard of the people.

The death of dozens of police personnel in the clashes with the underground Maoist rebels and the stand-off in the Parliament over the Lauda Air deal seen in the last month of the just concluded year indicate that there are some real problems in the country. In this context, it must be worthwhile remembering that realisation must dawn in all that joining hands to iron out the rough patches is a necessity instead of clinging to two opposite poles. When the social, economic and political ramifications are there, it is time for reflection, not for reprisal. All the political figures and parties need to forge common consensus to serve the interest of the country and countrymen by strengthening the foundation of democracy with solemn pledges. Given the present situation of the country, it is essentially important that all the concerned analyse the past performances and move ahead into the future with clarity of vision. The New Year celebrations with the exchange of best wishes would hold significance only if we all make a resolution to pull the country out of the current crevasse. We would like to extend our best wishes to all on the occasion of New Year 2058. May the New Year bring Peace, Prosperity and Happiness to all!

New Parking Complex

THE long awaited bus-truck parking terminal at Kalanki adjoining the Tribhuvan Highway comes into trial operation today. This parking complex with the capacity to accommodate 600 vehicles at a time including other facilities like warehouses will, hopefully, take care of the current parking needs of Kathmandu. Now there would no more be long lines of buses and trucks parked haphazardly along the Ring Road. It means that with the beginning this New Year we can look forward to relatively less traffic congestion and accidents on the Ring Road. In fact, the prohibition on parking along the Ring Road by the Transport Management Department was followed by a government decision three years back. The Ministry of Works and Transport in 1997 had decided that haphazard parking would not be allowed and the operation of an alternative parking complex would lead to the Ring Road being made a ‘No Parking Area’ except for some specified locations. This measure deserves applaud as it provides relief to the long-suffering population of this metropolis, both from pollution as well as traffic congestion.

The government also has plans to build such parking complexes at three places along the Ring Road, of which the location at Kalanki is considered the most significant because the majority of the traffic into the capital flows through this route. This parking complex is an example of government’s policy to involve the private sector in building development infrastructure. The success of the Kalanki venture will be an example for other private investors to follow suit and invest in infrastructure development. However, the success of such parking complexes also depends on the technicalities that involve co-ordination among the various implementing agencies of the government like the traffic police. As the new bus terminal and parking comes into operation, there are a number of pertinent questions. The foremost among them is relieving the traffic pressure and the parking difficulties within the Ring Road also. The rising number of vehicles both flowing into Kathmandu and also those plying in the streets have already exceeded the carrying capacity of the city roads. Though this particular parking complex is a welcome one but the future too demands merits attention.