This has reference to the news story “Caught in traffic jam? Consult ‘Traffic Police, Nepal’ app” (THT, May 1, Page 2). In Kathmandu, it is not surprising that traffic congestion during office hours annoys the commuters. It is the traffic jam that makes most commuters late for work or office and pressing presence in hospitals, funeral programmes and wedding ceremonies. Needless to say, people jaywalking to cross the busy roads are another problem the traffic police have to tackle with. This adds more to the traffic congestion all over the Valley’s roads already full of vehicles. Apart from that, private vehicle owners and drivers of public buses stop their vehicles at places where they are not supposed to do despite the difficulty faced by others. We hope the mobile app of the traffic police will be helpful to overcome the traffic jams at major intersections. Similarly, this will also help road users file compliant and report accidents and hit-and-run cases, over-charging of transport fares, sexual harassment in public vehicles, among others. Lastly, with the help of this app the traffic jams will be eased. But it must be used regularly, and it should not be a onetime occasion.

Saroj Wagle, Bara

Insecurity

It is in reference to the news story ‘’Women working at night still face stigma’’ (THT, April 30, Page 2). Many women expressed social insecurity facing them at a programme organised by the Forum for Women in Nepal to mark the 127th International Workers Day in Kathmandu on Friday. Speaking at the programme, Saru Nepal (name changed) from Jhapa district said she hadn’t come to Kathmandu because of her will but to protect herself from sexual harassment meted out by her family members. The two-day event brought together nearly 150 working women involved in the entertainment sector. In that event, problems faced by women working in this sector were brought into light for serious discussions. Right now, women working at various restaurants, bars, Dohori Sanjh, massage parlors, cabins and open restaurants from various districts took part in the programme. One thing undeniable is that women working at night feel insecure. The government should ensured their safety by mobilizing more security personnel at night hours.

Pratik Shrestha, Kathmandu

Initiative

The Nepal Student Union (NSU) has done a remarkable job by rebuilding a school at Kirtipur that  collapsed during last year’s massive earthquake, “Kirtipur school gets new building” (THT, April 29, Page 2). It has taken an exemplary initiative by doing so without  government aid. Needless to say, it has proved that anything is possible if one is committed to and dedicated towards his/her goal. Moreover, this campaign has forced the government to increase the reconstruction momentum. Now the time has come for Nepal government to provide necessary assistance to such campaigns in order to boost  its slow-paced reconstruction campaign.

Sanjog Karki, Tansen