A propos of the news story “Government to begin mobile air pollution monitoring service” (THT, July 27, Page 2), what is the need to monitor something that is so obvious? We do not really need any monitoring devices – mobile or stationary – to measure dangerous pollution level in the Kathmandu Valley and Kavre.

We just need to stand for half hour at any place on the Ring Road in Kathmandu and between Dhadkhola and Zero Kilo in Kavre and we would know instantly that we are in a polluted paradise.

What we need is a mobile air pollution controlling service – legal and mechanical - to save us from the precariously harmful effects of dust, smoke, smell and noise emanating from the broken and dusty roads, generous amount of littered garbage, open sewers and rattling and revving buses and bikes.

Solutions will range from relocating brick kilns to criminalizing incomplete road works in Kathmandu and halting movement of hundreds of loaded trucks in Kavre till the roads are repaired or rebuilt to withstand heavy weights without kicking up huge clouds of dust and smoke.

One of the best ways to reduce level of pollution in the Kathmandu Valley and in other emerging cities is to go for mass transportation, tram system and electric vehicles that emit zero emission. More than 90 percent of the pollution can be easily reduced if the government implements the much-needed plan of city trains round the clock.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Hygiene need                      

This is with reference to the news story “17 cholera cases reported in Valley” (THT, July 28, Page 2). Since the onset of monsoon the cases of cholera has been detected over a dozen places, mostly in highly polluted, poor urban areas and places where biodegradable items are disposed of.

The cases of cholera can spread in other parts of the city if no immediate measures are taken to control it. Such cases are detected mostly during the rainy season when city areas are littered with garbage, the main agent of bacteria and viruses.

The concerned authorities are requested to raise awareness among the city denizens about the precautions to be taken to not let it spread.

Polluted and dirty water is the main source of cholera that can affect a large number of people. What can be suggested is that the people should not drink water without treating it properly. The best way to be safe from such communicable disease is to boil water at least for ten minutes; keep the surrounding area clean and let the drainage open to pass flood water.

It is the children and elderly people who are mostly affected by the communicable disease like cholera. Children should be taught to wash hands before and after taking meals and using toilets. The vegetables, fruits and meat items that

we consume should also be treated well with clean water before cooking them. Personal hygiene is what matters

the most to be safe from contracting   communicable diseases like cholera and typhoid.

Raman Dhital, Kathmandu