Nepal’s urban centers, especially Kathmandu Valley, face growing traffic congestion and mobility challenges. While road widening has been the go-to solution for decades, it is clear that this alone cannot solve the problem sustainably. Instead, Nepal needs to adopt an integrated approach combining public transport development with strategic road widening to manage increasing demand effectively.
The Limitations of Road Widening Alone
Road widening is a finite solution due to Nepal’s limited
land availability. As noted in a recent analysis, “Land is a scarce resource
and its use is limited. Therefore, road widening cannot be carried out again
and again whenever a city experiences traffic congestion”1. While widening roads may ease traffic temporarily, once
demand exceeds capacity, congestion returns, often worse than before.
Why Integration Matters
World-class cities have demonstrated that expanding road
infrastructure alone is insufficient. Instead, they focus on developing
efficient, accessible, and reliable public transport systems alongside
infrastructure upgrades. The best way to achieve sustainable transport
management is through an integrated program that develops public transport and
road widening simultaneously1.
Lessons from Singapore’s Model
Singapore, a city-state with extremely limited land, offers
a compelling example. It has prioritized public transit expansion while
limiting private vehicle growth. Its Land Transport Master Plan includes:
- Doubling
the urban rail network by 2030 to ensure 80% of households are within a
10-minute walk of a train station.
- Adding
1,000 buses to the fleet to boost capacity.
- Building
new roads only to support public transport or serve new developments.
- Reclaiming
road space for greenery, pedestrian walkways, and cycling paths2.
Singapore’s approach balances road infrastructure with a
robust public transit network, resulting in increased public transport mode
share (from 59% in 2008 to 66% in 2015) and reduced air pollution2.
Practical Steps for Nepal
Nepal can adopt a similar integrated strategy by:
- Investing
in high-capacity public transport: Expand bus fleets and explore mass
transit options like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or light rail.
- Coordinating
road widening with transit development: Prioritize road projects that
enhance public transport corridors rather than simply increasing car
capacity.
- Land
use planning: Encourage transit-oriented development to reduce travel
distances and car dependency.
- Policy
and regulation: Implement measures to discourage private vehicle use,
such as congestion pricing or limited parking.
- Public
awareness and incentives: Promote public transport use through
subsidies, discounts, and improved service quality.
Conclusion
Nepal’s growing urban mobility challenges require a shift from reactive road widening to proactive integrated transport planning. Combining public transport development with strategic road infrastructure improvements will create a sustainable, efficient system that meets the needs of its citizens while preserving scarce land resources.
References
1 Public Transportation Issues, Challenges and Way Forward, b360nepal.com
2 Cities100: Singapore - Boosting Public Transit While Limiting Cars, c40.org
5 Reimagining Public Transport: Creating a Safe and Inclusive Delhi, orfonline.org
3 Government to Introduce ITS Tech to Improve Road Safety, thefinancialexpress.com.bd
4 Sri Lanka to Implement AI for Safer Roads, devdiscourse.com
6 Encouraging Public Safety, smrt.com.sg
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