Monsoon Mess in Kathmandu

You are walking on the street with your formal dress. You try escaping the puddle with the aim of not making your shoe dirty, and then all of sudden a car passes giving you a big SPLASH! You ignore your shoes because you see your pants dirty!

You are inside the car driving with your own moods on, maybe some music on as well. Maybe it is after a long time you are walking on the street, and you are unaware regarding the puddles of that area. Suddenly, you feel your tire getting unbalanced and you mange to take it in control. But then you hear someone screaming because there was a SPLASH, that made the muddy water get his cloth dirty!

Now, a pedestrian blames the driver for riding roughly, and the driver blames pedestrian for walking carelessly. No matter what, pedestrian is the one who gets most affected by this, and the case can be seen familiar these days in the streets of capital. Every time in monsoon the problem can be seen even in the major streets of valley. Pedestrian will have no other way to walk except the lane of main road, and the driver is in hurry so that he will not have to get struck in the red light jam.  

It is understandable that the concerned peoples have to be more responsible for this issue, because the Government have been charging such a heavy amount as ‘Road tax’ annually from the vehicle owners. The tax is much more when compared to other countries. They therefore have to bear the responsibility of the damaged pedestrian’s cloth. But, talking such would be nothing more than foolishness at the moment.

The pressure of good maintenance of road before SAARC Summit can be understood this year. The best thing is the event was not in monsoon; else it would have been another huge challenge for maintenance of roads in the capital.

At this particular state of time, when road expansion project has been undertaken by the then Government, major streets of capital are under construction. Or, it can be explained in this way that they are no more a road at all, because one prefers taking alternative road down. Road Expansion project needs appreciation, but at this current state of time, they are the reason for blaming. Maybe, the action is really taking time, or maybe concerned department is not receiving enough funds for the completion of the project, maybe there is politics going on, maybe the one who took responsibility to construct the road has grown sick. There definitely can be various ‘maybe’ explaining the excuse, but more than excuse, it would have been better if they would have noticed the difficulties pedestrians are having in walking, difficulties the bike riders are having in driving, or the car drivers are having in taking their vehicle on such road.

Had not there been such projects, there would still be such problems on the way. Anyone could have noticed the strong pitch project undertaken at this particular time. Maybe, they have to complete the budget before the next fiscal year, or maybe every time road finds hindrance at this time; and, the monsoon swipes away entire pitch showing how poorly they actually build up the road. Anyway, there are roads with puddles all the time.

As soon as monsoon begins, the problem gets its peak. Whether you are in some small lanes of Balaju, or near the main way of Maitighar or crossing the bridge of Sankhamul, you can’t avoid the problem. Not even if there is sun shining up. Unless the monsoon disappears, and the puddles get dry, the problem continuously exists. So the wise thing for this trouble is to seek the best alternative by both the party anyways. No driver intend to trouble pedestrian either, that is understandable. But, as a driver, they have to be responsible enough while driving on some muddy road. They need to slow down their speed and care for the pedestrian. Now, pedestrian equally need to be conscious. They need to either get away quickly before letting the vehicle enter into the puddle, or wait for some time to let the vehicle pass the puddle, so that they can be safe.

A young new bike rider, riding the latest lot of bike rides his bike at the maximum speed early in the morning, and suddenly there is a puddle, he has to bump over there, but reaches out of vision within few second. But, he fails to understand that there were two old women walking to temple, who had to spoil their dress because of his foolish act.

 It is high time for us to understand that the streets are not of States, that would meet someone’s expectation.  We never worry about how our taxes are being utilized, and blame only when we are actually in trouble. It is understandable that the riders are more responsible in this sort of activities because the pedestrians are carefully walking so that they would not slip down and fall, and taking care of entire puddles that would spoil their shoes. But, instead of blaming others, it would rather be wise if both of you reach your destiny happily. Any driver will certainly not be happy making some pedestrian’s mood off, and pedestrian will certainly not get excited for getting opportunity to scold a driver. So, it is highly necessary for both pedestrian and driver to be equally responsible for such issues. Let there be compromise from both side and let us move in one unified manner. It is always better if you reach your destiny in the clean dress, and in time. 

Published in The Rising Nepal's Friday Supplement of 7th July 2014.