If we look at examples of other cities that have achieved success in metro rail, the list of indirect benefits becomes long. This will reduce traffic congestion on roads, save fuel and reduce environmental pollution.
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Competitive race of big vehicles, passengers hurrying to board the coach, traffic jam. The horn's crackling sound. This is the scene seen at any main square in Kathmandu Valley. There are about 1.2 million vehicles in Kathmandu Valley, the number of which is increasing every year, but even basic facilities for passengers are rare.
Traveling in public big vehicles is safe and traveling in private small vehicles is risky. But the stakeholders are not sensitive towards organizing the current transport system or looking for complementary/alternative system. However, experts have been saying that the movement within the Kathmandu Valley can be organized by running the metro train. The government needs to think seriously about this and similar options.
The topic of running metro in Kathmandu Valley is not a new topic for political speeches and election manifestos. KP Sharma Oli, when he became the Prime Minister for the first time, brought the topic that was discussed sporadically to the fore. He promised to take immediate action for electric metro rail in Kathmandu Valley. This topic was discussed again around the local elections held in 2074. Vidyasundar Shakya, who won the mayorship of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, had announced that he would run the metro train within three years. Like many of Vidyasunda's sayings, this promise was lost. Since then, when this topic is about to disappear from the discussion, British engineers have presented various bases for running metro trains in Kathmandu Valley. In the program organized by the 'Institution of Civil Engineers' and the 'Society of Nepalese Engineers UK' last Wednesday, the master plan was discussed along with its feasibility and long-term effects. Which has kept alive the possibility of metro rail.
In the proposed master plan, it is said to run five metro lines in Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu Line (Banepa, Dhulikhel, Koteshwar, Bhrikutimandap to Thankot), Patan Line (Godavari to Bhrikutimandap, Budhanilkanth), Bishnumathi Line (Dakshinkali, Chobhar, Balkhu, Tankeshwar, Naya Bus Park, Dharamsthali), Chakra Line (Around Ring Road) and Valley Line ( Outer Ring Road) is proposed. It will have a total length of 192.5 km, of which 85 km will be underground tunnels and 107.5 km overhead (above ground). This is a matter of possibility. There may be other such possibilities. But it is certain that we need to find alternatives to manage the current transport system.
If the number of vehicles in Kathmandu Valley continues to increase at the current rate, the compulsion or attraction of private vehicles will also increase, and the rate of entry into Kathmandu will also increase, the transport system here will be terrible. Therefore, it is necessary to think about the options and start implementing them now. First, metro rail could be an option to mitigate the impact of current traffic congestion. But it should not be limited to election speeches or expert opinions. The results should be visible. Secondly, a way can be found to make the public transport system organized and efficient so that private vehicles are less needed. A policy can be introduced to encourage passengers to walk, cycle or travel by public transport. Electric buses or light rail that can hold more passengers can also be preferred. The measures adopted in the prestigious cities of the world with high density of people and vehicles can also be adopted here.
Metro Rail is a high investment project in terms of financial investment. For example, it is estimated to cost 2.6 billion US dollars to build the 36.5 km long Kathmandu line. In a country where it is difficult to lay a black sheet on the ground, it is not a common plan to build a new structure underground and above ground. Experts say that the unavailability of passenger traffic, passenger fares, operating expenses, maintenance expenses are also expensive. But it will have other economic and environmental benefits. If we look at examples of other cities that have achieved success in metro rail, the list of indirect benefits becomes long. This will reduce traffic congestion on roads, save fuel and reduce environmental pollution. Accidents will be reduced and thereby human and economic losses will be reduced. Travel by both public transport and train will be easy. Therefore, it will be in the interest of Kathmandu Valley if the three levels of government can operate the Metro Rail through the search for resources.
