KATHMANDU, Feb 24: Saying that a metro service could be a very viable means of public transport in the Kathmandu Valley, the mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Chiribabu Maharjan has requested Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) to take the lead in constructing a metro in the Valley.

Maharjan, who reached KMC Office to meet the Mayor Balendra Shah, expressed his commitment to cooperate with the federal government and support KMC as well for the construction of metro rail in terms of resources, means and budget.

Mayor Maharjan said, “If there is coordination and cooperation between the two metropolises in the Valley, we can accomplish big plans. Lalitpur will become a companion of Kathmandu. Kathmandu Metropolis should lead the metrorail project.”

Stating that looking for an alternative to metrorail is now considered a waste of time and resources, Maharjan, said, “The decision about metrorail should not be delayed any longer and if the decision is not taken soon, the Valley will become an unfit city to live in.

Similarly, Mayor Shah said that a metrorail is essential for the Valley and said that he will start discussions with other municipalities regarding the metrorail in a planned manner. He said, "While making a plan, we should plan for at least 50 to 100 years. The two- or four-year plans will not have a long-term effect and cannot bring happiness to the citizens."

Badan Nyachhyon, consultant engineer of Lalitpur metropolis, said that to make the Valley a livable place, a metro rail must be started. He said, "If work is not started immediately to manage the traffic in the Valley, the problem of traffic jams will become serious after five years, and it is certain that the Valley will turn into a 'motionless' city." Nyachhyon has been advocating the need for a metrorail for 20 years and how it will make commuting easier for the people in the Valley.

According to statistics, the loss of productive time spent in traffic jams is worth about Rs 162 billion a year. This is about 5.6% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Nepal. Nyachhyon said, “The amount we lose in this way in a year would be enough to build a metro system in the Valley.” He said that there is a need for the metro rail service along with integrated transport management for an orderly city with an improved environment.

 
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