Every nation has its own sets of infrastructures that give the general public undeniable proofs about the development of the nation. Among many of such infrastructures like education, communication, health policies and human resources; transportation is one that shouldn’t be missed. Especially in a landlocked country like Nepal, transportation facilities and road networks are very important for the proper development of the nation. But, due to the stupidity of the public, and the ignorance of the government, the country has been slowly deteriorating.
Kathmandu, as the capital city of Nepal, is the central hub in the nation. Compared to other towns, it is considered to be the most developed one with wider roads, various education and health facilities and human resource development campaigns; thus no wonder for the massive flow of people into the capital in search for better opportunities. Sadly, our infrastructures are so overexploited that there might be development, but not a sustainable one. With some assistance from different agencies and other nations, Nepal built a whole lot of road networks in the valley. In the course, mere 3 meters wide roads have now been widened to 6 meters. This might probably convince many people that we no longer need to get stuck in traffic jams for hours. But as the road width increases, so does the number of vehicles plying through it. This always cramps up the road network within the capital. This situation is often observed in different parts of the city, including Chabahil, Sundhara, Tripureshwor, Teku, among others. Vehicles have increased, but still, people are seen squeezed into buses as they commute from place to place.
The Kathmandu city is always in a hurry. People are always seen in the rush. Maybe this is why people have been always trying to overtake other vehicles and trying to push their vehicles through small places that barely fits them, so that they can cut off others. This is especially the case of two-wheeled vehicles like motorbikes and scooters. If a possible gap is seen, they try to squeeze their way through. The most stupid things these people do is riding over a sidewalk. If one has been through the riverside of Dhobikhola or Bagmati then he/she will surely experience that as you are walking along peacefully perhaps donned with headphones, and then you suddenly hear a horn screeching. Turning back, you see a motorcycle on the footpath sounding his horn to signal you to move away.
The transportation facility in the town is pathetic not only because of the general public, but also the government. Compared to other nations, the traffic control system in Nepal is inefficient itself, with no working traffic lights, cameras, and use of traffic police in necessary places. It would be better to put these resources in proper places first, only then we will see light at the end of the tunnel!
By Atul Bhattarai
The writer is an A-Level graduate from Xavier International College and is currently interning at Glocal Khabar.
