Two killed, two injured in Sarlahi motorcycle collision
Two persons died and two others were injured when three motorcycles collided with each other at Khila in Ishworpur Municipality, Sarlahi on Wednesday.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Saroj Rai, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Sarlahi, said that the deceased have been identified as Mukesh Raya (35) and Ram Gyan Raya (30) of Mirchaiya, Haripurwa Municipality-9, Sarlahi.
Similarly, Bikram Raya (22) and Ram Biswas Raya (42) of Haripurwa Municipality-9 were injured in the accident. They are receiving treatment at the Model Hospital in Lalbandi.
Meanwhile, Police said that they have impounded the motorcycles with Indian registration numbers BR 30 AR 3458, BR 30 AP 3809, and HP 55 C 0623 and started an investigation.
Light rain and snow likely in Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim today
The weather today will remain generally cloudy in the hilly and mountainous region and partly cloudy in the remaining places of the country.
In addition, there is a possibility of light rain and snow at a few places in the hilly and mountainous region of Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, and at one or two places in the remaining hilly and mountainous region. Likewise, Fog and mist will occur at a few places over the Tarai region during the morning, according to the 8 am bulletin by the Weather Forecasting Division.
Tonight, generally cloudy conditions will prevail over the mountainous region of the country. Partly cloudy conditions will prevail over the Tarai region of Koshi and Bagmati Provinces and hilly region of Madhesh Province as well as the remaining hilly region, while the Tarai region of other provinces will remain mainly fair. There is a chance of light rain and snow at one or two isolated places over the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces. Fog will occur at a few places over the Tarai region.
Meanwhile, meteorological analysis by the Division states that at present there is influence of the westerly low pressure system in Nepal.
Kathmandu Valley's air pollution drops
The level of air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley declined today as compared to the previous day.
It is said that the less flow of motor vehicles today, the public holiday for the Gyalpo Lhosar, caused the air pollution level to fall.
Till 1 pm of Tuesday, the Kathmandu Valley's Air Quality Index was 191, unhealthy for all. Today, it dropped to 114 at the same hour. On Tuesday, the Kathmandu Valley was listed the third most polluted city across the world and today, it ranks at 14.
Today, Lahore of Pakistan is listed as the most polluted city in the world with AQI 193 while Dakar, Capital of Senegal, comes in second place with AQI 192.
AQI 101–150, highlighted in orange, is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, who may experience health effects.
According to environment expert Bhushan Tuladhar, the role of the transport sector is crucial for the determination of air pollution.
Vehicles are considered the direct source of air pollution. According to Superintendent of Police, Naresh Raj Subedi, the vehicular traffic on a public holiday decreased tentatively by around 10 percent.
Mude-Charikot road left in limbo
The Mude-Charikot road which is connected to the capital has always been facing problems. The contract was given to Shakil Haider-Shankarmali Sunaulo Khimti JV in 2015, but the progress remains still with dust, potholes and risk.
As elections approach, this road becomes a ‘special political agenda’ of the commitments to leaders. 110 km of road is being constructed under the Lamosangu-Charikot-Jiri Road Project with the aim of improving and expanding the single-lane road built 40 years ago to make it a double-lane road. Out of this, the Mude-Charikot section is the second section, which was awarded the contract with a target of completion within two years.
The first and third sections have been completed and handed over to the Division Road Office and are undergoing regular maintenance. However, this important section in the middle has been incomplete for years. Since the project has a loan from the Indian Exim Bank, there is a mandatory provision that 51 percent Indian ownership and 51 percent Indian construction materials should be provided. However, structural constraints, management weaknesses, and constant decision-making changes did not allow the work to proceed.
Eight project managers changed during this period and no development has been done. Due to repeated changes in the work variations, the project cost has increased from Rs 790m to about Rs 900m. The contractor has been paid Rs 810m so far.
There are records of the deadline being extended up to eight times after the work was not completed on time. Project manager Shambhu Prasad Acharya said that a contract notice was issued for repairs after Shakil Haider did not work. However, two years after the notice was issued, the High Court revived the old agreement and issued an interim order to Shakil Haider to do the work.
The project chief Acharya said that since there was a commitment to complete the work by April 3, they are waiting if it is not completed even after that, they will go to legal proceedings. The locals have the same complaint, they remember the road only when the elections come, they forget it after seeking votes, and after the elections are over. This main road connecting the capital should be the backbone of development, but it has become a tool of political speech.
The Charikot road is not just an election agenda, it is the economic, social and emergency lifeline of Dolakha. Tourism, trade and health services are all affected if this road is not managed. Therefore, now it is not a commitment limited to the speeches of the leaders, but a concrete action plan with a deadline, responsibility and penalties is needed.
