Road Safety
TRAFFIC congestion and frequency of road
mishaps have alarmingly increased in the Kathmandu Valley since the past few years. The
increasing number of vehicles on road are not the only cause, there are other reasons
which have to be analysed and necessary remedial measures taken. The accidents have led to
the death of scores of people every year besides maiming many others for life. The roads
and their condition may not be the only reasons, the flouting of the basic traffic rules
by the vehicle drivers are often a cause of accidents. It is true that with the times,
there is heavy pressure on the existing roads but if they are improved and the vehicles
made to follow the rules and regulations without fail then definitely there can be an
improvement in the present condition thereby leading to fewer accidents to the relief of
all. The road length or their width has not increased appreciably except for some
stretches but the number of vehicles plying on them have increased drastically. This point
must be noted when it comes to managing traffic. The concern has been there in the air
since a long time but some initiatives was taken only on the eve of the recently concluded
11th SAARC Summit. Whatever was achieved within a short span of time was noteworthy but
far from enough.
It was in keeping with the needs that work is to be initiated
to improve the road intersections at ten major points in Kathmandu Valley. The deal for
such was struck between the government and a Japanese company in October last year. The
project to be completed by March 2003 will cost is 1.3 billion yen.The improvement work
was initiated the other day with the foundation stone being laid for Maitighar
intersection improvement. Once the major intersections are improved it is hoped that the
road accidents will be reduced greatly. The improvement works is to be mainly related to
maintenance of the traffic signs and lights, repair of footpaths and drains, railings and
flag poles. Road improvement in Kathmandu is fine but there is also a need to study the
situation of roads and intersections in other growing urban centres in the country. The
government also has the added responsibility to see that road accidents on highways and
other cities are reduced by chalking out necessary improvement measures. Safety on roads
in a country like ours is vital.
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