KATHMANDU, Feb 21:
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balendra (Balen) Shah had said in an interview before being elected as the mayor, “Why is granite not used on the footpaths in Kathmandu? Because Kathmandu is a cold place. When you step on granite, your feet freeze, and you can’t walk. However, brick is not that cold. Even if you walk barefoot on brick, it's not as cold. Kathmandu is a cold place.”
Within less than three years of his tenure as mayor, the KMC has started laying granite on the footpath of Durbar Marg during the winter season. Some have referred to this action as a new concept of development, while others have expressed concern that it reflects a tendency to erase originality in the name of modernization.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Rabindra Mishra has criticized Balen's decision in a sarcastic manner. He also released a video of Balen before the election, showing the difference between his words and actions.
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“I would like to agree 100 percent with Balen’s statement,” Mishra said while sharing Balen’s old video, “Therefore, the use of granite on the pavement of Durbar Marga is not appropriate from any technically, (newly) architectural, environmental, and safety perspective. Entrepreneurs of Durbar Marg should consider this.”
Road expert Ashish Gajurel suggested that cities should first focus on building proper footpaths before decorating them.
“Let's first build basic footpaths where the public can walk safely,” he said. “After that, the metropolis could lay granite.”
Meanwhile, the KMC has said that granite has been laid in a regular manner to enhance the beauty of the city.
“Granite is being laid in this area at a cost of Rs 51.4 million with the aim of beautifying the road,” said KMC spokesperson Nabin Manandhar, “We are confident that this will promote tourism.”
Some have mentioned that walking on granite can be slippery and may lead to accidents. The metropolis is currently working on installing granite on the footpath on both sides of the Narayanhiti Museum complex, from the Metropolitan Police Circle, Durbar Marg to the statue of late King Mahendra.
The KMC Public Works Department Chief Suraj Shakya said that rough granite has been placed on the pedestrian walkway and slippery granite around the trees.
“Non-slippery granite has been placed on the pedestrian walkway,” he said, “People will not slip on the rough granite.”
