88 Lives Lost in Road Accidents Across Kathmandu Valley in Six Months

Annually, a significant number of lives are lost prematurely in the Kathmandu Valley due to road accidents, with the first half of the current fiscal year seeing a concerning spike. According to data from the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, 88 individuals have lost their lives in 5,865 road accidents, with 148 people critically injured and 4,438 sustaining minor injuries during this period.

The majority of the victims are identified as motorcyclists and pedestrians, raising concerns about the safety of two-wheelers in the Valley. Punya Prasad (Saroj) Sitaula, Senior Vice-President of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs, emphasized the vulnerability of motorcycles in the Valley, attributing the high-speed factor of motorcycles and scooters, along with pedestrians crossing roads indiscriminately, as major contributors to the escalating fatality rate.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rajendra Prasad Bhatta, spokesperson of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, highlighted ongoing efforts to curb the rising accidents. Various awareness programs have been initiated to educate the public on responsible road behavior. Stricter enforcement measures include intensified checks on alcohol consumption, speed limits not exceeding 50 kilometers per hour, and ensuring the compliance of vehicles, especially long-distance ones, with the mandated two-driver policy.

The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office remains committed to implementing measures aimed at reducing road accidents and fostering a safer environment for all commuters in the Valley.