KATHMANDU, OCT 29 -Experts have urged the government to promote public transport and create separate lanes for such vehicles on the city’s roads. The recommendation follows growing public concern over traffic management and air pollution.
The number of private vehicles in the country has grown significantly, but public transport is still the main mode of mobility for many people. “Dedicated lanes for public transport is a must,” said Manfred Breithaupt, project director, GIZ-Sustainable Urban Transport Project, while addressing a training programme on sustainable urban transport.
A separate lane for public vehicles will help to make transport services safe, reliable and effective. Manfred stressed the need to encourage people to switch from private vehicles to public transport besides promoting bicycles. He said that cycles were for the people, not the poor, as they are good for heath, economy and environment.
As of the last fiscal year, there were 1.5 million vehicles registered nationwide. An estimated 35,000 mini buses and buses provide public transport services in the country. Participants said that the government should be serious about controlling air pollution and the growing number of vehicles.Studies have shown that pollution kills more people in the world than road accidents, they added.
From last year, the Nepal government has banned the import of vehicles below Euro III emission standard as part of the effort to control air pollution. Speaking at the programme, government officials said that it had become difficult for them to manage the increased number of vehicles due to the narrow roads and unplanned urbanisation.
Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, said that they were carrying out a project with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve the transport service in Kathmandu besides continuing with the road widening plan. “We are also widening the Ring Road to eight lanes which will have a separate way for cycles,” he added.
The government plans to widen the 27-km Ring Road which encircles Kathmandu and Patan with the support of China. In the first phase, a 9-km stretch from Koteshwor to Kalanki will be improved within the next three years. Government officials said that the Physical Infrastructure Ministry had already started urging the Chinese government to widen the rest of the Ring Road.
Yogeshwor Parajuli, commissioner of the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, said that lack of a land use plan had hindered infrastructure development.
No comments:
Post a Comment