Tuesdays – Walk to office day?

Source: Walking to work on Tuesdays? | Kuenselonline.com

Two years after the HEHE initiative, the jury is out on its catching on

 

 

 

 

 

On foot: Lyonpo (Dr) Pema Gyamtsho and staff on the way to office

14 April, 2010 - The HEHE walk, initiated by the agriculture minister, Lyonpo (Dr) Pema Gyamtsho, may not have encouraged all Thimphu office-goers to walk to office, but is slowly gathering pace.
Almost two years after the initiative, the minister said that officials of the anti corruption commission, national environment commission and even some private business people have started walking to office every Tuesday. “We aren’t forcing people to walk, it’s purely voluntary,” said the minister, adding that he has experienced great advantages by walking to office, at least one day in a week. “The walk will save fuel, reduce noise and air pollution and encourage people to stay healthy,” said the minister. “There’s more interaction with people when you walk to office.”

The minister added that, by encouraging people to stay healthy through physical exercise like walking to office, the pressure on hospitals from unhealthy habits would be reduced.

HEHE was started as a small initiative to fight rising fuel cost and increase in carbon emission. To ensure that the initiative is not hampered, any meetings or official functions scheduled on Tuesdays are postponed. “We can save two to three litres of fuel in a day,” said one of the officials, who walked on Tuesday from Lanjophakha.

Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho has also realised the driving culture of Bhutanese drivers. “In many countries, priorities are given to pedestrians, but not here,” he said, adding that everybody is rushing without considering the pedestrians.

Meanwhile, the minister said that the 16th SAARC Summit theme, “Climate Change - Towards a green and happy south Asia” is an important issue that would raise discussions about global warming and its effects, natural disasters like flood, earthquake, and how to prepare for a disaster like glacier lake outburst flood. “Climate change won’t only affect Bhutan, but the entire SAARC region,” he said.

By Karma Tashi Wangmo

Traffic restrictions in and around capital

Source: Kuenselonline.com

SAARC Summit12 April, 2010 - Vehicle owners in Thimphu can expect to be stopped and directed by traffic police to take another route when VIPs are on the move on April 28 and April 29, said traffic division officials.
During the arrival of SAARC delegates on April 26 and 27, as well as their departure on April 30, traffic will be stopped on Norzin lam, starting from the taxi parking up to Chubachu.

However, for public convenience, the movement of public transport, like buses and taxis, will be allowed and restrictions lifted from 8 pm to 7 am.

Besides stopping traffic plying from Thimphu to Paro on April 26 and 27, police will also stop vehicles coming from Wangduephodrang and Punakha at Semtokha. Those coming from Haa will be stopped at Chuzom, and those from Phuentsholing at Damchu.

Traffic superintendent (SP), major Passang Dorji, said that the movement of vehicles would be stopped until all delegates reach Thimphu. On April 26, 28 and 30, only last digit odd number vehicles will be allowed to ply in Thimphu, while those with an even number as their last digit will be allowed to ply on April 27 and 29.

“Those violating this rule will be penalised, with the traffic police grounding their vehicles until April 30,” major Passang Dorji said. “The timings, if there are any, will be informed to the public later.” Traffic officials said that all preparations for the summit are in place. “The only thing we need is the public’s support for a few days,” the traffic SP said.

By Sonam Pelden