KATHMANDU, Feb 5: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has introduced pelican crossings at 36 different locations across the city in an effort to enhance pedestrian safety. The latest installation, located in front of Padma Kanya Multiple Campus in Bagbazar, allows pedestrians to control traffic lights by pressing a button.
The innovative system, which became operational on Wednesday, aims to reduce road accidents and improve pedestrian safety. Jagatman Shrestha, traffic expert advisor to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, said that the technology was introduced to allow pedestrians to cross roads more confidently. When the button is pressed, the traffic lights turn red, stopping vehicles for a set period of time, allowing pedestrians to safely walk across to the other side.
Lights Out
"This is a button crossing system. The traffic light does not function unless the button is pressed. Once activated, it operates on a predetermined timer," Shrestha said, "This initiative is designed to prevent haphazard crossing and improve safety. We have already implemented it at 36 locations, and more will follow," he added.
The move has been welcomed by locals, particularly by students at Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, who have previously expressed concerns about the recurrent accidents. Sandhya Basnet, a student at the college, highlighted the positive impact of the new technology. "The traffic lights and buttons at zebra crossings are a great step toward road safety. There used to be frequent accidents when we were crossing the road to and from college. This new system has been introduced at just the right time," she said, thanking the KMC for the initiative.
The metropolis plans to continue expanding the use of pelican lights as part of its broader traffic safety improvement project, with the aim of enhancing safety and reducing traffic-related incidents throughout the city.
