KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa has said that new laws would be brought in by amending the existing ones to manage traffic and reduce dust in Kathmandu Valley.

At an interaction programme of chiefs of metropolises and municipalities of Kathmandu Valley, chiefs of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department, and police chiefs of all three districts of valley, on Thursday, the Home Minister said that the penalty amount would also be increased.

He said, "The contractors have indulged in irregularities due to less amount of penalty, the drivers are running vehicles in high-speed and the pedestrians too have not abided by the traffic rules. This should be reformed."

The Home Minister also said that the contractors failing to complete construction on time and doing substandard works would be booked.

He urged the people's representatives and government officials to extend their support from their respective fields to reduce dust and smoke, and ensure reforms in the traffic system of Kathmandu Valley.

Minister Thapa also directed the officials to advance by dealing with pressures if they appear in course of action. "I will also move ahead by snubbing the pressure. You also follow the same suit," he asked.

Delay in road and bridge construction is associated to corruption and irregularity and this would be probed, the Home Minister further said.

On the occasion, the participants present at the interaction suggested promotion of mass transportation vehicles, strict measures in vehicles' check, increasing the penalty amount, booking sluggish contractors among others.