Traffic Police Turn Road Workers
Kathmandu
In an unusual yet increasingly common sight across the capital, Traffic Police Turn Road Workers in Kathmandu Valley whose primary duty is to manage traffic flow and ensure road safety have taken on an unexpected role repairing damaged roads.
The situation has arisen due to ongoing infrastructure development projects. The Nepal Electricity Authority is currently laying underground electricity cables across various parts of the Valley. While the initiative aims to modernize and secure the city power supply, it has also led to extensive road excavation, leaving many roads in a dilapidated state.
One such area affected is the busy route stretching from Mitra Park to Kalopul, where trenching work is in progress. The result uneven road surfaces, open pits, and traffic bottlenecks. With road users especially pedestrians, motorcyclists, and public transport passengers facing serious difficulties, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division has stepped in not only to manage the flow of traffic but also to carry out emergency road repairs.
Officers from the Gaushala Traffic Police Office have been spotted using shovels and basic tools to fill potholes and level surfaces, trying to ease vehicular movement and prevent accidents in high risk areas. Their efforts are aimed at providing temporary fixes where the road contractor has delayed resurfacing or where public pressure has mounted due to deteriorating conditions.
While the traffic police involvement in road repair highlights their commitment to public service, it also raises serious questions about inter agency coordination, urban planning, and infrastructure accountability. Ideally, such repairs should fall under the responsibilities of the Department of Roads, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office, or the contractors involved in utility work. However, in the absence of timely action from responsible authorities, traffic police are left with no choice but to intervene to prevent road hazards and ensure smoother traffic movement.
Commuters and residents have expressed both admiration and concern. On one hand, the dedication of traffic police going beyond their call of duty has been appreciated. On the other hand, many are questioning why those tasked with maintaining law and order on the roads are being forced to handle physical roadwork.
“This is not the job of traffic police. Their efforts are admirable, but it shows a failure of the system,” said a local shopkeeper near Kalopul.
Such incidents highlight the urgent need for better coordination among utility service providers, local municipalities, and traffic management authorities. Infrastructure development is essential, but it should be done in a way that minimizes disruption and ensures quick restoration of roads.
This is not the first time traffic police have taken on non traditional roles. In the past, they have been seen directing water flow during monsoons, clearing debris after landslides, and assisting in crowd control during festivals all reflective of multi-dimensional pressure faced by law enforcement in urban Nepal.
However, this incident underscores the growing burden placed on traffic officers. As road conditions in Kathmandu continue to deteriorate due to ongoing development projects, traffic police are being pulled in multiple directions from traffic control to construction work raising concerns about their ability to fulfill their core responsibilities effectively.
