"We are now trying to build only one flyover," said Tulasi Sitaula, secretary of Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW). "Construction of other flyovers has been put on hold for the time being." [break]
According to Sitaula, construction of a flyover at New Baneshwor crossing, one of the busiest intersections of Kathmandu, will begin by mid-November this year.
"As for other flyovers, we are yet to finalize their designs," said Sitaula. The proposed design for the New Baneshwor flyover has already been approved by the MoPPW.
One year ago, the MoPPW had decided to build flyovers in six busiest intersections of Kathmandu -- New Baneshwor, Old Baneshwor, Maitighar Mandala, Thapathali, Tripureshwor and Solti Mod. At that time, the MoPPW was planning to lay the foundation stone of the New Baneshwar flyover within the fiscal year 2069/70 BS and then build other flyovers in the coming years.
But even the construction of New Baneshwar flyover could not take off on time.
The design of the New Baneshwor flyover was prepared jointly by Soil Test and AVIYAAN consultancies. The consultancies were hired by the DoR for preparing designs and Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of six flyovers in the Valley.
Sitaula assured that the government will not dillydally on its plan this time around. In addition, he said, he would ensure that there would be no budget crunch for the work.
The MoPPW has attributed the delay in construction of the flyover to the transfer of one of its senior division engineers responsible for construction of the flyovers to the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
However, sources said the delay was due to the government´s reservations over the designs of five other flyovers, except for the one at Baneshwar crossing.
The government was particularly dissatisfied about the flyovers being too lengthy, which would also increase the cost of production.
Explaining the reason behind prioritizing the New Baneshwar flyover over others, Sitaula said the place was one of the busiest intersections in the capital.
According to a study conducted by the DoR, around 115,000 vehicles, mostly two wheelers, pass through New Baneshwar intersection every day. Likewise, approximately 6,200 pedestrians cross New Baneshwar intersection during peak hour.
In a bid to ease traffic management at the intersection, which remains busy from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening, the government has listed the New Baneshwor flyover as the top priority.
According to the basic deigns, the Baneshwar flyover will be 17 meters wide and 340 meters long. Although the proposed design of the Baneshwar flyover does not include tracks for disabled and cyclists, the features will be added during the construction. At least 55 percent of the total volume of motorists and pedestrians, who pass through the Baneshwar intersection every hour, is expected to use the flyover.
And they believe it will significantly reduce the traffic congestion at the intersection. "The flyover will help in the traffic management as there will be sufficient space for both pedestrians and motors." said Sitaula. "At present, it is very difficult to manage the huge flow of vehicles and pedestrians through the same road."
For the second time, the government has set a date to build a flyover in New Baneshwar. Though it has sought revision on the designs of five other flyovers, the government is not prepared to go ahead with their construction for now.
How flyover will ease traffic congestion
The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project (KVREP) is planning to build a 10-lane road connecting Tinkune with Maitigharmandala. The Baneshwar flyover, the design of which is in tune with the new map of the upgraded Tinkune-Maitigharmandala road map, will have four lanes.
Motorists heading straight to Tinkune from Babarmahal and vice versa will have to use the ramped flyover at the Baneshwar crossing.
Those who need to turn to Shankhamul or Old Baneshwar will have to ply along the remaining six lanes, including two service lanes, of the upgraded Tinkune-Maitigharmandala road.
"If 55 percent of the motors will cross Baneshwar intersection through the ramped flyover, it will not be difficult for the remaining traffic to pass through the normal road," says Shakya. "As per our projections, the Baneshwar flyover will easily deal with the growing volume of traffic till 2031," says Shakya.
The grade-separated flyover will also have a pedestrian underpass. Once the flyover is constructed, pedestrians will no longer have to wait for the green light to cross the road. "They can cross the road any time they want," says Shakya.
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