It is not surprising to know that Kathmanduits are seriously suffering from respiratory problems these days when there is no rain to settle down all dusts seen in all major roads of the Kathmandu Valley due to gross negligence of the concerned authorities.

It has been reported that the number of people with acute respiratory problems are increasing day-by-day “Patients with respiratory problems up” (THT, December 26, Page 1). Elderly people, children and roadside vendors are those who have suffer the most with the problem due to their vulnerability.

People prone to skin allergic problems, weak lungs and bronchial ailments are fighting with this problem. The Kathmandu Valley will be an unhealthy place to live in if the concerned authorities continue to be careless and irresponsible towards their jobs.

However, this is nothing new with the government organization where there is no proper supervision and monitoring system in place. Corruption also plays a crucial role in road repair and maintenance which delays the works to be completed on time raising dust in most construction sites.

Due to the gross negligence of the urban development department, most of the places inside the Valley have become unhealthy where lives of the peoples are uncertain. Digging of roads in the Valley is normal.

There is no coordination among the government organizations which dig the roads on their own and do not think that the roads dug should be immediately repaired. If it repaired today, some days after, another organization starts digging for its own purpose leaving the road unattended for several days.

Haphazard digging of the roads, long delay in expansion of roads across Kathmandu, haphazard storing of construction materials along the road, laying sewage pipes in several places and the ongoing work of the Melamchi Drinking Water Projects are responsible for increasing dust pollution creating health havoc among the residents.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

Negligence

This is in reference to the news story “Man electrocuted in Jhor” THT, December 28, Page 2). It is extremely petrifying to learn how easily people die just like a flying-ant during its nocturnal-struggle at the night by hovering a split-second over the bulb to terminate the living period.

Humans lives are being taken as granted. The Nepal Electricity Authority and the person himself are to be blamed for their negligence for what happened.

I am certain of the fact that the Nepal Electricity Authority and the authorities concerned are not attaching any importance to the protections-programmes that may mitigate the hazards. For example, by coating the electric wires with pipes or plastic-case they are tilted under the residential areas.

At least, the residential areas must be prioritized for protecting the lives of folks, if it is not possible to coat electric wires. The bottom line is, the lives of folks should be respected no matter what, even though people die of their own negligence.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne