KMC tests belicon crossing

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Feb. 26: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has tested belicon crossing for the safety of pedestrians at its central office periphery in Bagh Durbar on Saturday. 

Chief administrative officer of the metropolis Basant Adhikari, traffic management consultant Jagatman Shrestha, city police chief Raju Nath Pandey and other officials participated in the test.

After the observation, the official said that the test results were positive. The metropolis has been conducting various studies and experiments for road safety, nighttime traffic facilitation and construction of pedestrian friendly roads.

Belicon crossing would be placed on the sideways of the road and pedestrians can press the switch placed in the belicon to cross the street. Once the switch is pressed, red light will flash towards the vehicles running on the road and green light will flash towards the pedestrians crossing the road. According to Jagatman Shrestha, traffic management consultant of the metropolis, belicon crossing was an international practice practiced for the convenience of children, disabled and those who had to cross the road in emergency situations.

Along with the crossing, smart lights were also tested. Smart light is a system installed next to zebra crossing with a sign board which gives easy access for pedestrians to cross road. Shrestha informed that they were planning to install belicon crossing and smart light at two different places as a test.