Kathmandu, April 6

Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, in association with stakeholder agencies, has stepped up the implementation of the ‘Valley Traffic Management and Pollution Control Improvement Action Plan’ launched on Thursday.

Within a couple of days of its commencement, traffic police opened corridors passing under Balkumari and Gopi Krishna bridges.

Kathmandu has corridors in six places — Balkumari, Gopi Krishna, Ratopul, Setopul, Kalopul and Bhatkekopul.

MTPD said traffic corridors at busy intersections in four other areas would be opened soon as part of the three-month long plan.

The plan aims to reduce traffic congestion, enhance road safety and combat pollution in the valley, among others. Traffic police will also paint zebra-crossing signs and central markings, regulate pick-up and dropoff points for public vehicles, construct overhead bridges and fences in selected sections of the roads, designate taxi stands, control pollution, manage traffic volunteers and raise traffic awareness.

According to MTPD, painting of zebra-crossing signs and emission test of vehicles are under way.

MTPD stated that fences would be constructed on either side of Koteshwor-Kalanki road to reduce road accidents by discouraging jaywalking and wilful road crossing.

According to MTPD, as many as 14 people were killed and over 500 injured along the road section in the past seven months due to lack of necessary road infrastructure and safety measures along the 10.5 km stretch of the road.

Traffic management has become a daunting task due to inadequate traffic lights and overhead crossings at thoroughfares and main roads of the Kathmandu valley.

According to the plan, motorcyclists adding to noise pollution by revving up engines will be penalised as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicle and Transport Management Act. Vehicles that don’t meet government standards of exhaust emission will be impounded.