Happy New Year 2074, fellas!!!! We, Nepalese, be living in the future. Hell Yeah!
Alright, with that new year wish, we’re here to quickly remind you that you cannot honk in Kathmandu Valley from today. Remember the ‘No Horn Please’ rule that was announced earlier this month? Good.
The initiative taken by the Department of Transport Management was given a green signal by Kathmandu Metropolitan City, District Traffic Police Office and Chief District Officer of Kathmandu in a bid to control sound pollution in the Capital. The rule will apply to two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers; and if vehicles are found honking or beeping, the traffic police will fine them minimum Rs. 500 to maximum Rs. 1500. The rule will not apply to ambulances, fire engines, hearses and in case of emergencies. One is allowed to beep at a turning point or at a place from where they cannot see the vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Is that clear? No? Read it again.
The rule has been getting mixed reactions from the people so far. Some people are happy that they will finally be able to walk, drive and live in a less noisy environment. But on the other hand, some people are super frustrated already imagining how would they even drive without honking, which is an integral part of driving in Nepal where cattle love to roam about city streets freely, people love to break the traffic rules and street vendors sell stuff all over the streets. Well, driving without honking surely looks like a nightmare but you know what, you’ll get used to it. The people around you and the people on the streets too will get used to it, and may be the cattle will to. The point is, it might look like some MISSION IMPOSSIBLE thing, but it will work out, slowly. And soon, you’ll realize honking wasn’t necessary after all. Good luck with that though.
Moral of the story; love it or hate it, you’ve got to follow the rule.
