MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA

It is rush hour and vehicles struggle to move through a jam at Kalimati intersection. The congestion is made worse by two trails of vehicles on both lanes of the road, lining up for petrol and diesel. Petroleum imports from India have come down by nearly half because we owe Indian Oil nearly Rs 2 billion. But while we sit in our cars and complain about the fuel shortage and traffic, what we don't realise is that we are wasting much more than time while stuck in traffic.

During peak hours, a 20-minute journey can take up to an hour. Over 555,700 vehicles are registered in Bagmati zone, all crammed into about the same length of road as there was 15 years ago. Rallies on the main thoroughfares, accidents, and 'sawari' of VIPs, add on to the gridlock. Roundabouts that are meant to streamline vehicles instead become the centre of traffic congestion. A jam at a major intersection often has a spillover effect on secondary road networks and gallis. It is often question of life or death: patients have died in ambulances because they couldn't get to the hostpial in time.

The Indonesian Transportation Ministry recently released statistics stating that traffic jams in Jakarta cost the city at least US $3 billion each year and 40 per cent of it is related to the fuel wasted by idling vehicle engines. While such a study for Kathmandu is missing, we can do some quick back-of-the-envelope calculations.

Most drivers choose to keep their engines on during traffic halts, in anticipation that the vehicles will move forward. But keeping the engine on idle consumes more fuel than when the vehicle is on the move. A 1000cc car burns 2 litres of fuel if it is kept in idle for an hour, a heavier vehicle consumes double. A motorcycle engine consumes 0.25 litre per hour if it is just sitting in a jam. This means that if you own a 1000cc petrol hatchback and you are stuck in traffic for an hour a day you lose Rs 194 a day (@ Rs 97/litre), Rs 5,820 a month and Rs 69,840 a year. Multiply that by the total number of vehicles and you see that the current petroleum shortage is probably good for the country because at least we are wasting less fuel.

There are other costs: the fumes from stationary vehicles adds to the already toxic air. Idling in traffic, frequent acceleration and braking also increases the wear and tear on vehicles, leading to more frequent repairs and replacements. Mismanaged traffic also results in stressed and frustrated drivers, hypertension and increases chances of road rage and accidents.

The most logical solution to manage traffic is to build roads and widen the existing ones. But while we wait for that to happen, let's be proactive to cut the costs of traffic jams. If you leave your house half an hour earlier than rush hour, you can skip traffic. Keep an eye for short cuts- the link roads beside the valley rivers are newer, shorter and often faster. Try the public transportation, Rs 20 can get you anywhere. And if the distance isn't too far, give your car a rest and walk or cycle, it's good for your health and your pocket. Start today, Fridays have been declared 'bike to work' days after all.

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