The DoR has already started to equip the roads with such markings in the major valley roads. The markings would be used in the main stretches as well as the inner roads of the capital.

A study conducted by the MTPD to assess the effects of road dividers along the Valley road sections recommended the removal of the dividers as fewer accidents were reported compared to the past. “We have decided to replace the dividers with lane marks after the removal of dividers led to a well-managed traffic,” said MTPD spokesperson Basant Pant.

The MTPD had placed concrete dividers along the road sections in the Capital to ensure that drivers follow traffic rules and regulations. The dividers confine vehicular movement to the correct lanes, avoiding collision with vehicles from the opposite direction. They also make sure that pedestrians do not cross the roads randomly.

However, the much needed space occupied by the concrete dividers had raised concerns over its use. These dividers had also caused accidents during night—a downside of having concrete dividers—as they are barely visible at night without reflectors. According to traffic record, the dividers caused one fatal accident every month. The reflectors placed by the traffic to assist the night drivers do not last long.

The dividers along Gaushala-Bouddha; Putalisadak; New Baneshwor; Shital Niwas-Narayan Gopal Chowk and Kalimati had been removed during the visit of Modi for smooth traffic flow.

The MTPD has mobilised five additional traffic teams to monitor traffic rule violations after the removal of dividers. These teams have been deployed in the places where violations are more frequent.