Progressive Changes in Traffic Rules need further Considerations

The parliamentarians in Nepal seldom come up with private bills. They are so busy in forming and deforming the Government that they probably don’t get time. Probably they haven’t understood their roles as law makers. This proposition is not simply made because they don’t propose private bills but also because they don’t seriously participate is discussions of public bills and scrutiny of bye-laws. Today lets talk about some traffic related rules.

Following provisions are to be implemented soon   :

• Heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter the ring road of Kathmandu Valley from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. However those vehicles carrying petroleum products and water are not restricted even during the scheduled time.
• Micro buses which used to carry as many people as possible will not be entertained to carry passengers greater in number than the seats available. Also unusual extension of seats couldn’t be done.
• The buses which take people for long distance shall receive passengers only from bus-parks.
• It was also decided that the school buses are to reach school by 9.a.m. in the morning and after 4 p.m. they shall have no movement i.e. reach the parking place by 4 p.m. after deporting students to the destined places.
• The passengers will not be allowed to throw anything haphazardly from the window of the vehicles. Drivers would give notice to the passengers before starting the vehicle. They could throw rubbish only in dustbin kept in the vehicle. There are more than 0.3 million public vehicles operating in the nation currently. Due to disposal of unwanted things haphazardly the beauty of road is being destroyed. This rule would be tested for a month. After that the violation could lead to a fine of rs.500 to rs.5000.
• Many months ago Traffic Department announced about the restriction that would be done in speed limit of vehicles at Zebra crossing and fining the pedestrians up to Rs.2000 if they do not use zebra crossing, sub way or overhead bridge to cross the road.

Many rules and regulations are made. Of course they are made for safety of the public and for their own easiness. However the major question is that whether or not parliamentarians have played active role in scrutinizing the delegated legislations. Most of the parliamentarians do not talk about statutes and regulations in interviews that are broadcasted to public. They spend a major time in accusing the opposing party. Even at present the main opposition party, UML is protesting in the parliament and due to the protest the parliament is not functioning since…….this clearly reflects the seriousness of the parliamentarians. It is apparent that the so called law-makers are only members of their parties and not a responsible representative of people. Let us see hope for quick implementation of the provisions listed above. However the implementation is only possible by proper planning and management.

Heavy vehicles are restricted in ring road during certain time. But it is uncertain at what time they would reach the valley due to ongoing construction and hours of jams. So at what place could they park in valley is not yet allotted. Regarding the micro buses; it must be understood that there is a rare balance between number of passengers and number of vehicles. For instance there are many micro bus operating from Thimi to Ratna Park. Just about 5 minutes walk from Thimi is Radhe Radhe , the micro buses operate from there too in the same route. However one has to wait half an hour to climb the microbus From Dholahity to Ratnapark. The number of microbus in the later route is too less compared to the number of passengers. Also people do not have time to wait for another half an hour to wait for another microbus. Regarding the school buses, even those people who decided the timing are sure that at present it will not be implemented. The question whether fining pedestrians with 2000 fine must be tackled with other questions like ;

·        Whether or not there are enough Zebra Crossings?

·        Those zebra crossings already made are properly visible or not?

·        Whether or not all people living in the valley can pay Rs.2000 or not?

·        Whether or not people know about this regulation i.e. enough campaigning is done or not?

These decisions are praiseworthy. The main point is that the parliamentarians specially and also all stakeholders need to be serious and RESPONSIBLE. Hope to make Kathmandu clean, safe and beautiful.