KMC is planning new structures to ease traffic congestion

KMC is Planning New Structures to Ease Traffic Congestion

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has been trying many new methods to ease traffic congestion in the valley for quite some time now. And this time, the KMC is planning to build an underpass in New Baneshwor and two overhead crossings in Chabahil and Gaushala to ease traffic congestion in Kathmandu.

KMC Mayor, Bidya Sundar Shakya said, “We have decided to prepare a detailed project report.” He further said that alternatives to zebra crossings in those busy crossroads are high on the metropolis’ agenda as they had been swarmed with complaints from locals in those areas.

According to Shakya, the KMC had earmarked NPR. 50 million last year to build overhead bridges in these areas and has been consulting with the Department of Road (DoR) on the matter.

This is the second time that the metropolis has come up with a new infrastructure plan aiming to ease traffic congestion in the Capital, especially during the peak office hours.

The KMC had come up with the plan to build an overhead crossing in New Baneshwor around two years back. However, the plan was not successful due to security concerns as the proposed structure was considered close to the International Convention Center that housed Constituent Assembly and Parliament.

Enlightening the issue, Shakya said, “That’s why we are planning an underpass in New Baneshwor this time.” If the plan takes shape without any complications, it will be a second underpass in the Valley. The first underpass is being built at Kalanki (800-meter) under the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project.

However, it is only possible if the metropolis works together with the DoR, according to KMC officials, because the budget required for the project is simply beyond KMC’s means as per the Mayor.

After the demolition of two overhead bridges in Kalanki and Kamalpokhari, there are a total of 10 overhead bridges in the Kathmandu valley now. But, even these bridges at Sundhara and Ratnapark areas are in a very bad condition due to lack of maintenance. Structural engineers emphasized the urgent need for repair of those overhead bridges. Concerning the matter, Mayor Shakya said that they have already given the instruction to repair the old bridges.

Let’s hope that KMC’s plan to build new underpass and overhead bridges in Kathmandu to ease traffic congestion will soon be seen in action.

 

Source: Kathmandu Post

Featured Image: Kathmandu Post