"Rising Road Accidents Ahead of Festive Season: What is the Government's Plan for Control?"

Rekha Shrestha

Kathmandu- Recently, a series of accidents in Nepal have given rise to the notion that the country is experiencing a "season of accidents." In the past week alone, multiple road and air accidents have occurred, leading to significant loss of life and property.

The two major road accidents in Chitwan's Simaltal and Tanahun's Marsyangdi are among the most significant incidents in recent times. On Asar 28, two deluxe buses went missing in the Trishuli River near Simaltal, and they have yet to be recovered. The bodies of only 25 passengers have been found, while 40 others remain missing. Similarly, on Bhadra 7, a bus carrying Indian pilgrims met with an accident in the Marsyangdi River, located in Abukhaireni Rural Municipality-2 of Tanahun. This tragic incident claimed 27 lives, while 16 others are still receiving medical treatment. In addition to these major accidents, countless minor road accidents occur daily.

Road safety has become a significant challenge in recent times. Accidents occur almost every day, resulting in citizens losing their lives prematurely. In the aftermath of such incidents, committees are formed, investigations are conducted, and reports are prepared. However, these reports often end up collecting dust in government offices. As time passes, the incident fades from memory, only for the cycle to repeat with the next major accident.

Since the onset of the monsoon season on Jestha 31 this year, the number of accidents has surged dramatically. Despite predictions that accidents would increase during the monsoon, the failure to implement preventive measures has led to a sharp rise in incidents. Experts warn that road accidents are likely to increase further in the coming days, especially during the festive season of Dashain and Tihar. The primary reasons for the spike in accidents during this period are the poor condition of roads and the excessive traffic volume.

With just about a month left before Dashain, there is growing concern among travelers that, as in previous years, the journey during this festive season will neither be easy nor safe due to the state of the roads. Landslides have blocked some roads, while others are in such disrepair that vehicles cannot operate on them. Even where roads are operational, potholes and other hazards pose significant challenges.

The police estimate that around 2.5 to 3 million people will leave the Kathmandu Valley during the Dashain festival this year. Additionally, many people living in various cities outside the valley will return to their hometowns, leading to a massive movement of vehicles and passengers. Despite this impending rush, most roads are in a deplorable state. Therefore, it is essential to repair all roads before Dashain to ensure smooth transportation and safeguard the safety of both vehicles and passengers.

The Struggle of Navigating Unfriendly Roads

Currently, roads connecting various entry points to Kathmandu are in poor condition. Roads leading to areas such as Dakshinkali, Sankhu, Balaju, and Sitapaila are in a state of disrepair. The lack of adequate attention from the government to improve the conditions of roads connecting the valley's entry and exit points has caused significant inconvenience to travelers.

Some roads have become almost unusable due to a lack of maintenance, and the monsoon rains have further exacerbated the situation by adding more potholes. Saroj Sitaula, Senior Vice President of the National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs, confirms that this year's Dashain journey is certain to be challenging, just like every year.

The state of roads across the country is chaotic. According to Sitaula, major road sections such as Narayangadh-Butwal, Muglin-Pokhara, BP Highway from Bhakundebesi to Bardibas, Araniko Highway, and sections like Dalkebar and Koshi Barrage in the eastern region are in extremely poor condition. Heavy rainfall this year has further deteriorated the roads, causing great hardship to both passengers and businesses.

"These are just major road sections; rural roads across the country have also been damaged by rain and floods," says Sitaula. "Passengers don't only travel on highways; they need to reach their villages too. But both passengers and businesses are concerned about how to ensure safe travel."

Recent legal provisions have delegated the responsibility of road construction to provincial, federal, and local governments. However, all three levels of government have failed to ensure safe travel for passengers, leaving businesses in a difficult position. "All three levels of government have been entrusted with road construction, but where should we go to file complaints? Which office should we knock on? We have raised our voices repeatedly, not just during Dashain, but the state doesn't listen to us," Sitaula laments.

The poor condition of roads has led to numerous accidents each year, particularly during Dashain. According to Sitaula, one of the main reasons for the increase in accidents is the lack of well-maintained roads. "Vehicles can’t operate without roads. It’s not like we can travel by helicopters or planes; we rely on roads," he says with frustration. "The government must repair damaged roads and prepare for potential landslides during Dashain. Proper management is essential for safe travel."

However, the government's lack of attention to road maintenance forces drivers to operate vehicles under risky conditions. "One of the main causes of accidents is the poor state of roads. In some cases, drivers risk their lives to save passengers," he says. "It’s not fair to blame only the drivers; other responsible sectors cannot escape their responsibilities either."

Therefore, Sitaula urges the government to prioritize improving road infrastructure. "We’ve consistently raised our voices for better roads, but the government only wakes up when there’s a crisis," he says. "When Dashain or other problems arise, the government becomes active. But right after the festivals, they fall back asleep."

He further demanded that the government ensure continuous vehicle operation, even if full resurfacing is not possible, by at least carrying out basic repairs. "If road maintenance is not done, vehicles won’t be able to operate. Passengers will be stranded, and the risk of accidents will increase. During Dashain, it will be difficult for passengers to reach their destinations on time, causing problems for both passengers and transport businesses," he said.

During Dashain, transport entrepreneurs often introduce new vehicles into operation. However, despite having well-equipped vehicles, the state of the roads is chaotic. Narrow roads, potholes, floods, and landslides make the roads unsuitable for vehicle operation, putting businesses at a disadvantage. "The policies, methods, and systems of the government agencies are deeply flawed," he says. "When we raise concerns, the government often blames the weather. But the work should have been done in such a way that the weather doesn't cause damage! Roads that are paved today should last at least 8-10 years. We need to work with a long-term plan."

Despite passengers' strong preference for public transportation, the poor state of roads has caused significant problems. "The condition of the roads is deplorable. Road maintenance work should be expedited. Vehicles face the risk of breaking down or passengers getting stranded," he says.

The possibility of significant financial losses for businesses is also high due to the poor condition of roads. "Tires burst, springs break, and the lifespan of vehicles is reduced, leading to substantial losses for businesses," he notes.

 What is the Government Doing?

The government has announced plans to repair roads damaged by the monsoon before Dashain. The Department of Roads has stated that it will repair 6,000 kilometers of pothole-ridden roads through a first phase of patchwork repair, excluding roads currently under construction. Amit Kumar Sharma, spokesperson for the Department of Roads, said that tenders have already been called from all road division offices for this purpose.

"Tenders have been issued for 6,000 kilometers of road from road division offices across the country to make them pothole-free," he says. "This means the work is to be completed before Dashain. Some have already started the work, and others will begin within a few days."

During the monsoon, arrangements have been made to ensure that there are no transportation disruptions on national highways, and in case of obstruction, it will be removed within two hours, except in special cases. For this purpose, 135 pieces of equipment have been deployed in various road sections, and 129 mechanical devices are on standby for immediate deployment. "We are preparing to repair all roads before the festival season to ensure that passengers traveling home for Dashain do not face major difficulties," Sharma says. "This time, we aim to ensure a smooth journey for all passengers during Dashain."

Sharma also mentions that ongoing regular, periodic, and emergency maintenance work on strategic roads is part of the department's planned efforts. "The repair and restoration work on highways within the jurisdiction of the Department of Roads is ongoing in various phases," Sharma says. "However, some roads are still under construction, and work on them is progressing through contracts. Maintenance work is also being carried out regularly, periodically, and as needed."

Even though road construction is ongoing, additional maintenance will be carried out before Dashain due to the expected increase in traffic. "Our plan is not to carry out road maintenance only during Dashain," he clarifies. "The end of the monsoon season coincides with the arrival of Dashain. Roads often develop potholes and other issues due to the monsoon, and they need to be repaired once the monsoon ends. This period also coincides with the end of the fiscal year, so tenders need to be issued, and road maintenance is carried out at this time. Additionally, with the expected increase in traffic during the festive season, we instruct construction contractors to complete the road repairs quickly."

For this, a budget of 6 billion NPR has been allocated. Although the Department of Roads is responsible for 15,000 kilometers of the total 100,000 kilometers of roads across the country.