Kathmandu, March 10

Traffic police have announced special security measures for the Holi festival to ensure that revellers have a great time with zero road accidents.

DIG Mingmar Lama, in-charge at Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, said, "Though traffic cops are always working pro-actively, security will be further stepped up across Kathmandu Valley on Sunday as Holi festival is likely to witness more accidents than normal days due to drink-driving, speeding and recklessness."

Kathmandu had reported 16 road accidents with 12 injuries in 2012, 26 with one death and 24 injuries in 2013, 17 with one death and 26 injuries in 2014, 17 with one death and 17 injuries in 2015 and 18 with as many injuries in 2016 during Holi. Lama appealed to drivers not to drink and drive for their own and others’ safety.

He informed that 1,224 traffic cops would be stationed at 279 places of the Valley to catch rule violators and maintain traffic discipline. Last year, traffic police had impounded 1,938 vehicles, both two-wheeler and four-wheeler, for violating rules. In addition to these, seven mobile vans will patrol the Valley roads and act as a supplementary force for the designated checkpoints.

"Unlike other days, traffic cops will start road checks right from 7:00am on Sunday, keeping the Holi festival in mind when youth, mainly bikers, are likely to seize the opportunity to indulge in alcohol and drugs under the pretext of celebrations," warned DIG Lama.

According to MTPD, any person caught driving under the influence, driving rough, zigzagging bikes, riding bikes without helmets and carrying more than one pillion rider, and riding modified bikes will be brought to book. The festival will be celebrated in Kathmandu Valley and hilly districts on Sunday.

"On-duty cops will detain vehicles belonging to offenders. It has also been made mandatory for such offenders to attend a one-hour orientation class the next day to claim their vehicle and driving licence," he said. Meanwhile, police have appealed one and all to celebrate Holi in a decent and dignified manner without disturbing the peace and security.