After receiving criticism for the ineffectiveness of their ‘pick and drop’ drive, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has started installing information boards to ease traffic flow in the capital.  The metropolis installed the boards at 11 key traffic congestion points across the city until Thursday afternoon.

The white display boards, which have ‘pick and drop’ markings on top of it, show public vehicles’ routes to different destinations within the city. Besides the display boards, the metropolis has also placed large banners to make both the drivers and passengers aware of the new rules.

Earlier this week, the Post had carried a story regarding the ineffectiveness of the new drive. Both passengers and drivers were puzzled and unaware about KMC’s new rule, as authorities had not placed any signboards and flexes in the city informing people about the new rules.

The metropolis in association with Traffic Police, Department of Roads and Department of Transport Management had implemented the new rule on December 16 in 11 different points including Sundhara, Ratnapark, Bir Hospital, Nepal Airlines, Bhadrakali, Jamal, and Pradarshani Marg.  According to the drive, public vehicles are required to move immediately after dropping and boarding passengers at these points, which are infamous for traffic jams.

“The metropolis has finally placed display boards and flexes. This will definitely help us control traffic,” said Jay Raj Sapkota, Spokesperson of the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD).  Since the rule got implemented, traffic police has been struggling to manage the traffic in core areas.

On Tuesday evening, a mass of passengers and drivers of public vehicles protested in Pradarsani Marg because of the inconvenience caused by the lack of the awareness of the new rule.  Transport entrepreneurs on Thursday held a meeting with the traffic police regarding the issue.

“We have settled the issue now. At the event, transport entrepreneurs raised the issue that the new drive is impacting their daily income,” said Sapkota.  He said that the new rule will be extended to other parts of the valley very soon.  The MTPD has announced to slap a fine up to Rs 500 for drivers who do not follow the rule from next week.

If implemented well, the ‘pick and drop’ drive will be helpful for students, office goers, and other commuters who are tired of waiting for public vehicles to get full before it leaves a destination. Even city planners have welcomed the move, for it will help ease the increasing traffic jams in Kathmandu but they are still skeptical about the longevity of the KMC’s new rule.