Nepal’s politics is in a turmoil as Jhala Nath Khanal resigned as the prime minister. It is most certain that someone else may take his position next. However, equally certain is that the new PM will face a similar fate as Khanal, Nepal and Dahal. Nepal’s political turmoil has been such no prime minister will have an easy sailing. So far as the extension of the CA is concerned, political parties have few options left other than to extend the tenure knowing that even the next extension will not bring any tangible result. Nepal has been passing through a political turmoil and it will take a long period to stabilize it given Nepal’s geo-strategic position and ineffective leadership. As the political drama ensuing out of this situation plays out, we decided to look at the traffic problems in the country.  It is revealing that traffic accidents are turning out to be a major killer in Nepal.  They kill hundreds of young people annually. As the streets of Kathmandu are congested because of rising number of vehicles, more accidents are occurring here.  The roads of Kathmandu valley are unsafe to walk and drive.


There is virtually no coordination among government agencies involved in the road maintenance and management. The Traffic Police, the sole effective regulatory authority, is also suffering from lack of manpower and resources.


Road accidents are causing heavy economic losses as well as family burden. The government needs to approach the road accidents in multiple ways. It needs to invest more money to enhance the capability of the traffic police as well as developing and improving infrastructure.


Along with this, there is also the requirement to reform the act giving certain powers to the traffic police. As the number of accidents is rising alarmingly, the time has come to take matching steps.


Keshab Poudel
Editor