KATHMANDU: Pedestrians along the busy Koteshwor–Balkumari road section in the Kathmandu Valley are facing increased safety risks due to the lack of continuous and secure footpaths.
Although proper sidewalks have been constructed along some stretches of the road, they end abruptly in many places and are replaced by iron plates covering roadside drains. Several of these plates have reportedly sunk or become damaged, with exposed metal posing additional hazards. Temporary bamboo supports have been installed at some locations to reduce the risk.
According to local residents, some pedestrians have already had their feet trapped in the damaged iron plates. The condition is particularly dangerous for children, senior citizens, and people walking after dark.
Fearing that the weakened iron plates could collapse, many pedestrians are choosing to walk along the edge of the busy roadway instead of using the footpath, increasing the risk of accidents with fast-moving vehicles.
The lack of safe and continuous pedestrian infrastructure on one of the federal capital’s busiest roads has left thousands of commuters exposed to daily safety risks.
Comment