KATHMANDU: The Infrastructure Development Committee under the House of Representatives held discussions on road safety, transport management, accident reduction and infrastructure improvement on Tuesday, with lawmakers and experts stressing the need for effective implementation of road safety measures.
Committee Chairperson Ashish Gajurel said the committee would facilitate the implementation of recommendations received during the discussion. He described road safety as a highly sensitive issue and urged the government to treat it as a priority.
Gajurel noted that five years have passed since a road safety bill was drafted, yet it has not been tabled in Parliament. He also said delays in the construction of road infrastructure have contributed to growing transportation challenges.
Despite the existence of an integrated transport policy, Gajurel questioned the removal of the concerned ministry and emphasized the need to pay special attention to road safety for the benefit of future generations.
“Even now, properly managed footpaths and disability-friendly roads have not been developed,” he said.
Lawmaker Sunil KC said Parliament should play a facilitating role in addressing road accident-related problems. He pointed to unplanned road excavations, delays in maintenance work and poor coordination among concerned agencies as factors increasing the risk of accidents.
Similarly, lawmaker Basana Thapa highlighted difficulties in obtaining road permits in the Karnali region and stressed the need to improve road safety conditions.
Other lawmakers, including Bharat Kumar Swar, Purna Prasad Limbu, Dhanendra Karki and Raju Pandey, underscored the importance of prioritizing road safety to support the country’s economic development and prosperity.
Speaking at the meeting, Saroj Sitoula, president of the Federation of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs, called for dedicated lanes for public transportation, improved parking management and the availability of skilled drivers.
He also drew the government’s attention to the growing number of vehicles on the roads compared to the pace of infrastructure development.
Likewise, Arun Kumar Shrestha, president of the Federation of Nepal Freight Transport Entrepreneurs, stressed the need to strengthen monitoring and safety systems for cargo vehicles.
The committee sought suggestions from experts and stakeholders on road safety, transport management, accident reduction and infrastructure development as part of its ongoing review of the sector.
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