The infrastructure and transport ministry plans to purchase 40 electric city buses to help ease traffic congestion in the capital. According to Minister Chandra Bahadur Gurung, the new buses will ensure reliable and timely service. The minister said this during the National Assembly’s question and answer session on Friday.
Gelephu MP Harka Singh Tamang said that as of August this year, there are almost 130,000 vehicles registered in the country, 70,000 of which are registered in the capital. The MP said an increasing number of vehicles in the capital is causing traffic congestion.
Responding to the Gelephu MP, the infrastructure and transport minister said that people should use city buses to ease traffic congestion. He added, the government plans to procure more city buses, designate bus lanes, and improve city bus parking.
The minister said a single electric bus can replace 35 private vehicles.
“In other countries, we see people travelling by bus anywhere they go. Therefore, we are prioritising city bus services, which will be electric buses,” said Chandra Bahadur Gurung, MoIT Minister.
Additionally, the minister also said that people choosing non-motorised transport would also help in reducing traffic congestion.
“Many people opt for vehicles as a mode of transportation. They do not go for non-motorised transport such as walking and cycling. However, it may be because of the lack of facilities and infrastructure. For that, we are also working on improving infrastructure for non-motorised transport.”
He added that many roundabouts, which are in close proximity, are also causing traffic congestion. The ministry is also looking at reviewing the roundabout placements.
In the past 10 years, the number of registered vehicles increased by over 50 per cent in the country.
Sangay Chozom
Edited by Sherub Dorji
