KMC building Phalchas at bus stops

Kathmandu, Mar. 19: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to construct traditional resting places indigenously known as ‘Phalchas’ at the bus stops of the metropolis. 

For now, 10 Phalchas will be built by the metropolis in the main crowded areas.

The metropolis has allocated Rs. 50 million under the heading of heritage infrastructure underneath the Department of Heritage and Tourism in the current fiscal year to build the Phalchas, according to the KMC. 

Two Phalchas in Pepsicola area in Ward No. 32, one each at Tinkune, New Road and Sinamangal area, two at Chabahil area and four to five  Phalchas around the Tundikhel area will be constructed within the current fiscal year, said KMC. 

Jagat Man Shrestha, the traffic expert of the KMC, said, “The metropolis has a plan  to build Phalcha in every identified bus stop under the golden plan of the metropolis.”

“Under the golden plan of the metropolis, firstly, it has identified 254 bus stations. In every 500 metres distance, a bus station lies,” he said. However, it is not possible to build Phalcha in every bus station. Of the identified 254 bus stations inside the metropolis, the Phalchas will be built in a simple design only in  50 to 60 suitable places,  he added.    

“There will be woodwork on the outside of the timber, while there will be sitting space  for the passengers to wait for the vehicles. The bus stations will have the facility of free Wi-Fi and the Phalchas will be disabled-friendly,” added Shrestha.  

Traffic expert Shrestha said that the bus stations inside the metropolis will be fixed at a distance of 200 metres to 500 metres  as needed.    

The metropolis has a plan to build as many Phalchas as possible at the bus stops. 

He further said that each bus station will be designed to stop three buses at once to drop and pick the passengers. 

Two model traditional  Phalchas -- near Bijuli Bazaar Bridge and Babarmahal in front of the Department of Medicine of Kathmandu Ward No. 10, are being constructed through consumer committees, according to Raj Kumar KC, Ward Chair of Ward No. 10.  

Both Phalchas are being constructed under the golden plan of the metropolis at the cost of Rs. 60.6 million, he said. 

The construction works of the two Phalchas have reached the final stage.