KATHMANDU: Infrastructure expert Suryaraj Acharya has suggested revisions and technical reviews of several infrastructure development plans included in the government’s policies and programs.
Through a Facebook post, Acharya shared his views on the proposed national transport master plan, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and railway projects.
He welcomed the government’s policy to formulate an “Integrated National Transport Master Plan” covering road, rail, waterway, ropeway, and air transport systems. However, he stressed that the plan must be implemented effectively, with project selection and investment priorities guided strictly by the master plan itself.
Acharya, however, expressed disagreement with the proposal to introduce a Bus Rapid Transit system in Kathmandu.
“Recent international experiences have shown that BRT is not always an effective solution,” he said, warning that BRT could further complicate existing traffic problems in a city like Kathmandu, where roads are already narrow.
Instead of BRT, he suggested adopting more practical measures to improve and organize the conventional public bus system.
Regarding the East-West Railway project, Acharya argued that moving forward with the current design would not be appropriate. He said the project should proceed only after a detailed technical review.
While supporting the government’s policy to advance the Kerung–Kathmandu and Raxaul–Kathmandu railway projects, he emphasized the need for a serious technical assessment of the Raxaul–Kathmandu railway report before implementation.
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