How does it feel to be the chief of the MTPD?
It feels great. I always wanted to work in this Division. Finally, I got the opportunity to work at the helms of the MTPD.[break]
How do you find the traffic police’s job?
It’s tough. I didn’t realize it before. Many people think the Traffic Police aren’t doing their jobs properly. Even I used to think the same before. In reality, the force works 24 hours to provide quality services to the people.
DIG Keshav Adhikari
Chief of Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD), Kathmandu
What’s the present scenario of the traffic management in the country?
It’s evolving everyday. Today, we boast of different technologies which help us in our works. But we’re facing a manpower crunch. We have very limited manpower and this crunch creates difficulties in our works.
What are your new plans for the betterment of traffic management in the capital?
There are many plans. But I’ll focus more on creating awareness among the public and drivers because lack of awareness is the major problem which I’ve noticed so far in Kathmandu. Besides creating awareness programs, managing space for parking around the Ring Road, repair and add more traffic lights in the capital, and managing fixed parking areas for taxis are our other objectives.
Do you believe these plans will improve traffic management?
Not totally. But it’ll definitely help in the traffic management. Today, lack of parking space and lack of awareness are the major obstacles in traffic management.
What will you do in order to create awareness among people?
We’ll collect maximum number of pictures from different organizations, especially from media organizations related with accidents. After that, we’ll put all the collected pictures on exhibition across the Kathmandu Valley. Similarly, we’ll also ask schoolchildren to draw pictures on the subject, and the best picture will be exhibited and the artist will also be awarded.
What about the parking spaces? Have you talked with other stakeholders about it?
Yes. Recently I met with the officials of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). They are positive about our plans on parking areas. They have assured us to provide the space by the end of the Fiscal Year (2070/2071 BS).
Will you give continuity to the old campaigns against drinking and driving, taxi fare monitoring, among others?
Definitely. We’ll continue all the campaigns. In the past, only 25 teams were assigned for drink-and-drive inspection but now 45 teams are at it.
Will you also continue your re-launched campaign against pressure-power horns?
Yes. We’ll continue our campaign because pressure horns create noise pollution which can be very harmful to heart patients, pregnant women, among others.
How many power-horns have been put off so far?
According to the latest updated record, 1,700 pressure horns have been pulled off from vehicles like motorbikes, buses, trucks, among others.
By Pratibha Rawal
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