The government has prepared a fourth transport masterplan for the Kathmandu Valley with technical support from JICA, and the file is now expected to go to the Cabinet for approval.
The plan looks ahead to 2050 and projects the valley’s population at 43 lakh in about 24 years. It proposes an east-west 14.6 km mass-transit metro from Ratna Park to Bhaktapur. Of this, 1.9 km will run underground and 12.7 km will be elevated.
Other proposals include BRT on the Ring Road, an underpass at Maharajgunj Chowk, and road and bridge upgrades along the Dhobikhola and Bishnumati corridors. It also sets out a 160 km emergency road network, along with improved intersections, signals, and cycle lanes.
For the Terai/Madhes Fast Track, the plan says the starting point will be Chovar dry port. The army has asked for the construction deadline to be extended from 2083 Chaitra end to 2086 Chaitra end.
The masterplan also suggests turning more than 65 transport committees into 5 or 6 larger companies. It further proposes car-free zones in Thamel, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Lalitpur Durbar Square.
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