“It is necessary to create better pedestrian links across the city by constructing new footbridges, subways and footpaths across Tundikhel to lessen the rising traffic congestion in central part of the city,” David Irwin, team leader of Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded KSUT, said at an interaction with stakeholders on Sunday.
Presenting a preliminary recommendation and vision paper on improving traffic system in the Valley, Irwin suggested the government to improve the operation of public transport by re-routing service on a cross-city basis, improve location of bus stops by creating lay-bys in central areas, construct a new bus stop with basement parking on the west side of Tundikhel, redevelop Old Bus Park and City Hall and construct more off-street parking facilities. He also suggested promoting zero-emission vehicles to improve air quality in the city.
Speaking at the interaction, Baburam Acharya, secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management, and Purna Kadariya, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, stressed the need for a long-term plan to cope with the growing challenges posed by ever-increasing traffic in the Valley.
The Ministry of Physical Planning and Works commenced study on KSUT in October under the Project Preparation Technical Assistance with the grant of $800,000 from ADB. ADB has pledged loans and grants amounting to $20 million and further $3 million is expected from Global Environment Facility.
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