Kathmandu and Lalitpur Metropolises take charge of traffic management
In an effort to ease Kathmandu Valley’s persistent traffic congestion, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) have started installing push-button traffic lights at key intersections.
KMC has set up 36 push-button traffic lights, prioritizing school, college, and hospital areas, while LMC has installed similar lights at eight busy junctions, including Jawalakhel and Pulchowk.
“These traffic lights improve pedestrian safety and streamline traffic flow,” said Jagatman Shrestha, KMC’s traffic expert adviser. Once pressed, the lights turn red after two minutes, allowing pedestrians to cross safely.
LMC’s municipal police chief, Sitaram Hachhethu, highlighted that even VIPs must now follow traffic rules, with exceptions only for VVIP movements. He noted that the automated lights have eased pressure on traffic police and ensured equal enforcement for all road users.
Beyond traffic signals, LMC has also launched a traffic awareness campaign involving 100 college students and 30 municipal police officers.
Local officials believe handing traffic management to local governments will lead to better enforcement and investment in modern solutions, reducing road chaos in the valley.
