[sustran] Re: News Flash #37: Transport in the 'Global South'

[Rajendra Aryal]

Dear Sustran members,

I do agree what Jain Alok syas about Kathmandu. That is true that the river is
polluted, haphazard rapid urbanisation has taken place and the living conditions
have rapidly deteriorated in past few years. However, the situation is not
absolutely dark. There are of course some positive developments as well. Just
after the restoration of democracy in 1991 a decision was made to bring diesel
tempos (three wheelers) into the valley which worsened the quality of air. The
government has completely banned the diesel three-wheelers. Nowadays the city
only allows either battery-operated three-wheelers, so called "Safa Tempo (Clean
Tempo)" or LPG-operated three-wheelers. Micro buses meeting the Euro-I standard
are still foreseen. Elimination of those diesel three wheelers has substantially
helped improve the quality of air in the valley.

There are however still the old vehicles, as Alok has rightly pointed out plying
over the city roads. In the month of February 2000, the government has made
certain decisions, the abstract of which I would like to illustrate below. These
steps would obviously hep control the emission produced by such old vehicles.

1. Vehicles considered useless by Government Agencies, Corporations and
Diplomatic Missions are sold at auction. In view of the problems of pollution
induced by such vehicles, new registration and trasfer of ownership of such
vehicles will be banned in Bagmati Zone (the zone where major cities including
Kathmandu is) with immediate effect. Similarly, registration and transfer of
ownership of the auctioned vehicles which are 20 years old will be completely
banned.

Registration and transfer of ownership of the auctioned vehicles (which are less
than 20 years old) will be done in other zones on condition that they will not
be operated in Bagmati Zone.

2. Vehicles operating in Kathmandu Valley owned by Government Agencies,
Corporations and Diplomatic Missions must comply with the Mass Emission
Satndards specified by the government from time to time. However, those vehicles
not complying with emission standards will be allowed to go to the garage and
workshop for repair and maintenance with permission from the concerned authority
of the government.

Concerned authority of the government shall also monitor the condition of all
vehicles and ensure their proper repair and maintenance to meet the required
emission standards and carry certificates therof.

All vehicles operating in the valley must obtain a sticker certifying their
compliance with the Mass Emission Standards.

Stickers are introduced few years back. But there are still open questions. How
far would the government be able to enforce such measures and how far do the
concerned public as well as instituions cooperate?

Still, I feel the steps taken by the government as positive, the effects of
which are still to be observed.

As far as the question on making Kathmandu again a "walking city" it may not be
feasible at this stage. However, while looking at the narrow streets and
increasing number of vehicles on the street thereby induced long traffic jams
during the day, I personally feel that at certain point the people may have to
realize it and try to come back to what they had in the past.

Regards.

Jain Alok wrote:

> Kathmandu was such a lovely city just a few years ago. Although the public
> transport was not good and there were not many cars, but the whole city used
> to walk and these things didn't really matter. I remember a study was done
> by Wilbur Smith Associates (if I remeber correctly) on the city's transport
> behaviour and an astounding number of trips (75%, I guess) were walk trips.
>
> Been there recently and the city is polluted (thats probably an
> understatement). The Bagmati river which probably inspired many ascetics
> towards divine force was no more than a sewer. The city is cluttered by
> scrapped Japanese cars (most of the taxis). The public transport is worse.
> Basically, one could see all the so called urban problems. This was GROWTH.
> Perhaps politics in the country is to blame, at least partly.
>
> I wonder if Kathmandu can again become a walking city.
>
> Alok Jain
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Rajendra Aryal [mailto:rajendra.aryal at undp.org]
> > Sent: March 24, 2000 2:12 PM
> > To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
> > Subject: [sustran] Re: News Flash #37: Transport in the 'Global South'
> >
> >
> > Dear friends,
> >
> > Kathmandu, capital city of Nepal, after badly hit by a
> > haphazard traffic condition
> > some positive trends on better traffic management are
> > appearing. One of the moves
> > the Traffic Police is undertaking now is the follwing
> > newspaper clipping appeared
> > in the leading daily "The Kathmandu Post" to improve the
> > traffic condiiton of the
> > city.
> >
> > Kathmandu, March 20 (PR) - Valley Traffic Police (VTPO) today
> > urged the public to
> > suggest ways to improve traffic condition in the capital.
> >
> > "The suggestions from the people, if constructive, will be
> > implemented so that
> > people's views are also taken into account while making the
> > strategy of VTPO,"
> > said Pawan Kharel, Deputy Superintendent of Police at the VTPO.
> >
> > VTPO has set up a Traffic Control Room to both monitor and
> > implement the ideas
> > received from the public. VTPO is seeking the suggestions
> > through phone, fax and
> > email for the Traffic Week slated for the third week of May.
> >
> > With regards.
> >
> > Rajendra Aryal
> > UNCDF
> >