In the next few years, we might be living in a ‘smart’ city, if the plans of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office (KMC) goes accordingly. The institution has bared its plan of transforming Kathmandu into a ‘smart’ city.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Entrance. Image Credit: ImageKhabar
In an article published in the Himalayan Times, the KMC is working to build ‘smart’ Sajha petrol pumps where a smart card-based system is set to be introduced. The smart cards, similar to ATM cards, will be accepted to order fuel. “The new system will ensure that ordering of fuel and fuelling of vehicles will be completed within a few minutes,” said Gyanendra Karki, a spokesperson for the KMC to The Himalayan Times.
Furthermore, the ‘smart’ Sajha petrol pumps will have house well-managed toilets and, a small tea shop next to it. This will surely make the lives of the drivers and driving staffs easier as they can make rest stops at the petrol pumps with clean restrooms and even grab a bite. Karki added that the petrol pumps will also have a waiting lounge, ATM booth, and a phone booth attached to it.
To help achieve that, the KMC has bought 10,000 shares from Sajha petrol pump for NPR. 1 million. Over 150 waste carrier vehicles and other KMC vehicles can reap the benefits of the new and improved system in the first phase, before opening it to other vehicles.
In its pursuit to making Kathmandu a ‘smart’ city, the KMC has also proposed several other construction plans; mostly of parking lots. As the numbers of vehicles in the capital city are rising exponentially and showing no sign of slowing down, parking spaces are vital for proper circulation. The proposals have already been sent to the ministry. A multi-storeyed parking building with an underground parking lot in New Road has been proposed, which will cost around NPR. 550 million. Similarly, a plan for another multi-storeyed building has been put forward in Khula Manch. And, another underground parking lot plan has been proposed in Lainchaur.
Also, a part of the same plan is the construction of Kathmandu View Tower in Old Bus Park, which is well underway.
A park is also being built in Tinkune. The park will feature a statue of either Manjushree or Buddha. The KMC will propose the design, estimated cost, and further details of the park to the ministry after approval of the proposed three parking facilities. Other programs will be completed in coordination with Kathmandu Valley Development Authority and the private sector.
Under the ‘smart city’ plan, works to rebuild Dharahara will go into full swing. According to reports, the iconic tower, which was totalled in the Great April Earthquake of 2015, will flaunt the same old design but with new construction materials. Also, Rani Pokhara, which too received considerable damage, will be renovated and transformed into a ‘musical water fountain’. A 2-km heritage path will be constructed from Kalmochan Ghat to Teku Dovan on the banks of the Bagmati.
Various road sections of Kathmandu will be widened and blacktopped as soon as possible.
Reference: The Himalayan Times