NATIONAL 6 -(Spotlight Weekly)]

One Step Ahead

Newly built traffic islands in the capital's crossroads mark a new beginning to give Kathmandu a facelift

By A CORRESPONDENT

There is nothing new in traffic slowing down their speed while arriving at crossroads. But, in changing Kathmandu Metropolis the reason may not be the same. A different attraction at the crossroads may also make drivers jam on their brakes. Guess what? The eye-catching traffic islands, of course.


An island park at Maitighar : New look

It's already happening at the crossroads at Maitighar and Tripureshwor. Blooming flowers, small piece of grassland, growing trees and tidy looking traffic islands with other attractions seem soothing to the eyes of almost all the passers-by.

"By doing simple things like that we can give Kathmandu a facelift," says a confident Renchin Yonzan, a garden-designer, the lady behind the designing of the traffic islands at different points in the capital. "We decided to utilize the unused spaces at different crossroads which have remained unnoticed for a long time."

How did the idea originate? It all started with a project for developing parks and greenery in the metropolis masterminded by Kathmandu Metropolis Corporation (KMC). No sooner the local authority thought of the idea, most receptive were tourism related organizations. And they had reasons for their welcoming gestures.

After all 90 percent of the inbound tourists that arrive here by air, see Kathmandu as the gateway to this Himalayan Kingdom. Tourism entrepreneurs fear the first impression the visitors get in Kathmandu's mess may remain with them as the last impression. Hence, the backing up to KMC 's efforts in giving Kathmandu a facelift.

Take for instance, the case of traffic islands at Maitighar. KMC joined hands with Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) and Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA) to build the two attractions at the crossroads. The one supported by HAN was built at the cost of 350,000 Rupees while the other backed by NATA needed 200,000 Rupees.

Even business community has come forward to help KMC in its city beautification mission. Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) helped the local government build another traffic island at Tripureshwor crossroads that cost around 100,000 Rupees.

"Each of the traffic islands has its own specialty to offer," explains Yonzan. "The palm tree being grown at the Tripureshwor Traffic Island is the symbol of Kingship since the area is located near the statue of late King Tribhuvan."

Similarly, the island at Maitighar that has varieties of flowers stand for different castes and communities residing in the capital city. "The flowers there will be blooming throughout the year since we will be growing flowers five times a year there," adds Yonzan.

The completion of the three traffic islands is not a fullstop though. According to Yonzan, at least five other traffic islands will be built at different places in the metropolis within six months. These places include Thapathali, Gaushala, Chabahil, Airport entrance and Sinamangal.

In line with its city-beautification objectives, KMC has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nepal Tourism Board, a private sector-dominated body. "The two organizations will work together on city beautification, developing parks and greenery in the metropolis, better management of solid waste, lobby and work towards improving the environment and restore or renovate heritage sites with the overall aim of promoting tourism," KMC officials say.

"The areas of cooperation will focus on effective coordination, lobbying for change, public education and financial support for projects identified under the Public Private Partnership Program," they say.

Traffic islands are one component of the partnership program.