E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, OCT 19 -

The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division’s (MTPD) move to replace concrete lane dividers with vessel-shaped dividers on major routes of the Kathmandu Valley is fast catching public attention.

While the concrete dividers have been blamed for the rising accidents in the Valley, vehicle owners, drivers and pedestrians are appreciating the traffic move to replace them with new lane ones that are safer and more attractive. On an average, seven road accidents caused by concrete dividers are recorded everyday.

“I always feared that my bike would one day slam on the concrete dividers due to low visibility at night,” said one Rajan Shrestha. “The new dividers look good, while they can also be used to plant flowers.”

A pedestrian, Simrik Khatri, appreciated the move and said the police should manage and maintain the dividerss. He also said these new dividers

are  visible from quite a distance and also occupy less space.

According to the MTPD, new dividers have been installed at Maitighar, Singhadurbar, Tripureshwor, Thapathali, Bhadrakali, Kantipath, Durbar Marg and New Road.

“We are trying our best to replace the concrete blocks with the new ones on all major roads of the Valley within a month,” said Superintendent of Police (SP) Jagat Man Shrestha, the MTPD spokesperson.

Mostly, motorcyclists riding under the influence of alcohol are prone to road accidents due to the dividers, he said. A majority of the road accidents caused by the concrete dividers is reported in Chabahil, Tripureshwor, Gausala and Singha Durbar. At least one person is killed every month during the night there after hitting the concrete blocks.

Shrestha said the concrete dividers will be used on routes that see less vehicular movement. “Though it does not sound good, but we are installing the concrete blocks in core areas, such as Bhote Bahal, which have comparatively less vehicular pressure.”

The MTPD has also restricted commercial hoarding boards on electricity poles in the Capital with effect from Tuesday.

Posted on: 2011-10-19 08:55

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