Kathmandu Metropolis's Second Quadrimestral Public Hearing
Kathmandu residents have emphasized improving the management of existing conditions rather than constructing new infrastructure. Participants expressed these expectations through written and oral feedback during the second quadrimestral public hearing program held today at the National Sabha Griha.
The suggestions given and questions asked by participants were related to topics such as making footpaths pedestrian-friendly, increasing urban mobility through parking management, ensuring sustainable waste collection and management, and coordinating among government offices involved in development construction and service delivery. Similarly, they focused on issues such as preserving local identity/heritage while constructing infrastructure and paying attention to inclusive and disability-friendly structures. Concerns were also expressed through questions like "What is the plan for managing Khula Manch?" and "How are you managing community dogs?"
Service seekers questioned topics related to epidemic control and urban health promotion, social security, disaster management, service delivery, and office operation systems. Citizens also showed interest in safety in public places, accessible and convenient public transit, and the management of overhead wires, hoarding boards, and digital displays.
After listening to the citizens' questions, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, who was presiding over the hearing, expressed hope that two-way dialogue with service seekers would support good governance and service transparency. "The primary duty of elected representatives is to serve the people. We are committed to this," she said. In response to a query regarding the need to simplify Nepal Bhasa (Newari) textbooks, Deputy Mayor Dangol stated, "The objective of these textbooks is not just to teach the language, but to bring Kathmandu's cultural identity to the attention of the general public."
The chief responding officer at the hearing, Kathmandu Metropolitan City's Chief Administrative Officer Basanta Adhikari, stated that because multiple agencies are involved in urban development and service distribution, the expected results cannot be seen through the efforts of the Metropolis alone. "Tangled wires are being cut and unnecessary ones removed. The removal of hoarding boards has been accelerated, and priority has been given to managing the public transit system and parking facilities."
"We are working on a strategy of trust, thought, and development," Spokesperson Nabin Manandhar said. "We have won the trust of the citizens. It has been almost one year since our tenure began. Right now, we are working to understand citizens' thoughts. Based on the thoughts gathered this way, we will carry out development." Spokesperson Manandhar added that along with urban security, promotion of local identity, and development construction, health, education, and employment have been prioritized.
Questions were raised as experiences regarding the Metropolis's project bank programs, tasks executed by wards, and the behavior shown toward service seekers when visiting offices to receive services.
Prior to the start of the hearing, independent researcher Surendra Mahato presented the results of the Citizen Report Card and Exit Poll. The findings were based on responses from 150 service seekers of the Metropolis regarding service satisfaction, regularity of service, infrastructure and sanitation, transparency, and other categories. The answers provided by citizens were presented as a Citizen Report Card. Similarly, the exit poll results were compiled from answers regarding how easily service seekers received services upon exiting the office.
In these reports, many respondents appeared neutral. Receiving adequate information upon visiting for services, getting services in a short time, and obtaining requested documents quickly were among the positive outcomes shown by the exit poll.
Source - https://metronews.kathmandu.gov.np/
