Problem Statement

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Considering all the facts which were found out after the interviews, survey, and observations, several issues were discovered in the area. Below are some of the problems identified after acting in the fieldwork.

Water supply

Based on an interview with the local people, there is a scarcity of water in the area. The locals depend on the wells or nearby water spout for the water. However, some of these sources of water dry in the drier seasons so the people in the area buy water from the water tanks.

Drainage

The existing old drainage system does not have the capacity for the rapidly growing population. Unmanaged drainage and overflowing sewage are the major problems faced by the people in this area. According to a local resident, during the monsoon season, the streets near the square get flooded with knee-deep water (Locals of Patan worried about sewage backflow during monsoon, 2020). The locals are facing traffic snarls due to the unmanaged sewage drains and water clogged streets. Parking

Parking is another problem in the area, especially for four-wheelers. There is no space separated for parking for four-wheelers. Due to the insufficient parking space in the area, people are often seen parking on the roadside.

Figure 109: Roadside parking (Source: KMC, 2018)

Figure 110: Damaged road condition in Patan (Source: Ojha A., 2020)

Traffic congestion

Patan, a traditional town was never planned to accommodate motorized vehicles. The narrow street is insufficient for the rapid population growth which causes traffic congestion, increased travel time, increased accidents, and pollution.

The narrow road consists of potholes. According to the shopkeepers in the square, the amount of dust that enters the shop has increased so much that they must clean their shops every hour and must always cover their face while they remain in their shops. The visitors as well as the locals face difficulties while visiting the durbar square due to the traffic congestion. Based on an interview with a tourist guide, the tourist gets irritated and frustrated due to the traffic, noise and air pollution. Similarly, the polluted air also damages the structures of the square. Some of the causes of the traffic congestion are the Absence of coordination between government agencies, limited road space, lack of pedestrian-friendly roads, unsystematic and inadequate parking system, and ineffective punishment.

Figure 111: Traffic caused by four-wheelers in the narrow street of Patan (Source: Author)

Figure 112: Traffic congestion in Patan (Source: Apartment in Patan) 107