Unmanaged Traffic Lights in Kathmandu Valley: A Growing Concern for Commuters and Traffic Flow

The chaotic traffic situation in the Kathmandu Valley has become a growing concern for both commuters and city planners, with many of the traffic lights remaining unmanaged or malfunctioning across the region. Despite efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure, the lack of proper functioning traffic signals is have worsen traffic jams, accidents, and the overall frustration of drivers and pedestrians alike.

The problem is particularly, where traffic lights either fail to synchronize or are left on manual control with no coordination between intersections. At major junctions like New Baneshwor, New Road, and Thapathali, signals often go unnoticed or remain stuck on red for long stretches, forcing drivers to ignore the lights altogether in favor of moving through clogged intersections.

Experts argue that the unmanaged lights are a symptom of deeper systemic issues within the Valley’s traffic management system. “There is a lack of regular maintenance, proper monitoring, and clear coordination among different local authorities,” said Pradeep Adhikari, a traffic management expert. “Without these elements, the traffic lights become ineffective, and drivers are left to guess when it is safe to move.”
In addition to traffic congestion, the unmanaged lights pose serious safety risks. Pedestrians often have to navigate through unpredictable crossings, and the inability of drivers to follow traffic signals leads to frequent minor accidents and road rage incidents. “It’s becoming more dangerous every day,” said Sita Sharma, a local resident. “There seems to be no rhyme or reason to how the traffic is controlled, and it’s especially risky for children and the elderly.”

The issue also stems from the lack of a unified traffic control system across the Valley. Kathmandu’s traffic management is handled by a patchwork of local authorities with little communication or a central coordinating body. As a result, traffic lights in some areas are poorly synchronized, causing unnecessary gridlock and delays that ripple through the entire city.

While the government has promised improvements, such as the installation of smart traffic lights in certain areas and better enforcement of traffic laws, many Kathmandu residents feel that meaningful action is long overdue. With the population of the Valley continuing to grow and the number of vehicles on the road rising every year, it’s clear that more comprehensive measures are required to address the ongoing issue.

Until then, commuters in the Kathmandu Valley will continue to face an unpredictable and often dangerous driving environment, where unmanaged traffic lights are just one of many challenges they must navigate daily.