Kathmandu. Kathmandu: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s (KMC) Urban Management Department under the Transport and Road Safety Golden Scheme has started installing traffic cones and retractable fences of international standards in a bid to make the traffic management effective.

These materials are manufactured in Nepal. Although the plan was to purchase these materials in the fiscal year 2080÷81, due to various procedural challenges, it was purchased in 2081÷82. It is expected to play an important role in traffic management.

According to Anukul Nidhi, assistant expert (traffic and transport engineering) of the Urban Planning Commission, the height of the traffic cone ranges from 900 to 1,000 millimeters.

He said that the current cones are larger in size than those placed on the road in the past, so the drivers are expected to be disciplined. These cones are holeless at the bottom and weigh 3 to 5 kg. Nidhi also said that this will discourage the tendency of bikers to remove the cone.

“These cones are clearly visible even at night. One set consists of two traffic cones and a 2-meter-long telescopic retractable bar (which connects the two cones). A total of 1,250 sets have been purchased, including 2,500 cones and 1,250 bars. Nidhi added, “These materials can address the lack of channelization on Kathmandu’s main road sections and South Asian driving behavior (the tendency to ride like a fluid in empty spaces).” ’

According to the principles of traffic engineering, channelization is the basis of traffic management without widening the road. According to Nidhi, in the first phase, these cones were used in three places on Wednesday: Singha Durbar to Bhadrakali, Singha Durbar to Maitighar and Padmodaya Mode. Especially, the cones will be placed in the shape of a lashkar in the area from Bhadrakali to Singha Durbar to reduce the pressure of vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Vehicles taking a left turn (from Maitighar to Bhadrakali) will be able to use the lane uninterruptedly. This will reduce the problem of accidents and traffic jams.

The installation was carried out in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office and technical team of Transport and Road Safety Scheme.

“Traffic management is a common problem and solution. Collaboration is the basis of this. Nidhi added, “These cones can be reused by cleaning them batchwise. ’

The role and cooperation of everyone from the road users to the management agencies to the traffic police is the basis of this. According to Nidhi, the role of data-driven, scientific approach, modern technology and practical management technology is essential for traffic management.