Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 5:

The number of vehicles is increasing all over the country and people are gradually getting concentrated in the Valley where road condition and infrastructure has not improved over the years.

Curiously, the Valley Traffic Police Office records show that the number of road accidents has remained nearly steady, with a slight raise over the past few years.

The mishaps record of this fiscal year 060/061 BS is 2227, which is just two above the record of last fiscal year. Some 2180 accidents were recorded in the fiscal year 058/059 BS while 2055 accidents took place in and around the Valley in 057/058 BS. Incidentally, there is a significant rise in the loss of human beings. A total of 108 people had died last year but this fiscal year 147 people died in mishaps. DSP Romendra Singh Deuja said it was because of the increasing competence of the 400-odd traffic polices of the VTPO that the number of accidents have been controlled. Despite pathetic road conditions, lack of necessary infrastructure and reforms in existing inadequate laws of the land, the traffic police have been successful in controlling road accidents.

Deuja said 14 overbridges in the Valley were urgently needed. Considering the growing traffic, at least 60 such bridges will be needed to cope for safe and secure travel within the Valley.

The DSP said the VTPO has been organising awareness campaigns for school students — the most vulnerable group of society — and also for people from different organisations.

Deuja lamented there were very few parking spaces for microbuses and other public vehicles.

He stressed that the 800 km macadamised Valley roads should be widened, with ample par-

king space and footpaths for pedestrians.