Sans Civic Sense

Bring the fine back! The traffic before the Gen Z movement was comparatively very good. People followed the rules and the police were vigilant. But after the movement, it seems like the citizens have stopped caring about the rules and have disrespected the police and the traffic system. There are multiple cases of rule-breaking with an increase in the use of horns.

One of the main motives of the movement was good governance. But we, the citizens ourselves, seem to lack civic sense. As soon as the system cripples, we tend to break the rules. This kind of scenario has been seen previously, especially after the 2015 earthquake and the blockade. We seem to forget that we want to have a peaceful city and purposely break the rules.

The traffic police, who lost a lot of their equipment during the movement and are working with thin resources, are trying to come back to their previous strength. The traffic police should also learn from their mistakes, given that some of them were blamed for corruption and for cutting corners by hiding rather than working openly. Kathmandu is considered a magical place by visitors. Foreigners say that whenever they come to Kathmandu, they feel a spiritual presence. But we, as citizens, litter in our temple premises, spit on the footpath and do not have any respect for other people’s boundaries.

Take the example of our heritage site, Basantapur Durbar Square. First of all, the 100-metre stone paving has not completed in over a year. People spit all over the floor, and if you really look at the corner alleyways, there is litter and plastic everywhere. The same goes for all other heritage sites. We, as citizens, only blame the government and local bodies for not keeping the areas clean. Next time, when you step out of your house gate, gaze around; you will find litter everywhere. Cleanliness and civic sense come from within people rather than from the government.

If the citizens are not civilised enough, the government must come up with a fine system. When we look at developed countries like Singapore, Japan and the UAE, there is a strict fine system on everything, from traffic to littering. Strict and transparent fines should be restored as a necessity rather than a choice. In an urban space like Kathmandu, rules and regulations should be meant for ensuring harmony, safety and mutual respect. It should not be used as a tool to suppress citizens. Freedom comes with responsibility and fines are a reminder that discipline is essential for a good city.

The public trust, which eroded, even before the Gen Z movement, should be rebuilt. And it can be obtained through honesty, consistency and visible action. At the same time, citizens should realise that they are equally responsible, as their actions reflect society’s behaviour.

We need a good and clean city to dignify Kathmandu at a global level. The city, which is among the oldest in the globe, has many magical places it can share with the world, but for that, both citizens and responsible authorities should work together to create a peaceful and respectful city that everyone wishes to visit.