KATHMANDU, DEC 21, 2012
Nepal Army Chief Gen Gaurav SJB Rana will not use his green gas guzzler and elite escorting squad when he goes to the Army Headquarters on Friday morning. The 57-year-old will instead pick up his sports gear and pedal his mountain bike all the way from his official residence in Pulchowk to Badhrakali.
Not only Gen Rana, all high ranking officers posted in units within the Ring Road will give up their vehicles every Friday. Their aim is to ease the 'chaotic traffic' in the Capital.
Army officers--from second lieutenants to the army chief--will either walk or ride their bi cycle s once a week to mark that day as an 'clean environment day.'
NA Spokesperson Suresh Sharma said the campaign is a 'small initiative' to avoid traffic jams and carbon emission. "A short walk or cycling will also keep the officers physically fit," he said.
There are about 2,000 NA officers stationed in various units, including the valley division in the Capital. Given this initiative, an estimated 500 vehicles will not ply on Ring Road every Friday, according to Army officials.
An Army officer at Bhadrakali was all excited about the campaign and said he would walk to office all the way from his home in Dhumbarahi. "It is physical exercise. I have set a goal to reach the Headquarters within an hour," the official said.
Army officers are expected to walk or pedal in civvies on Fridays. "We are allowed to get into military fatigue once we reach office and again change to civvies before returning home," the official said.
Sharma said senior-most Army officials will ride their motor vehicles only in 'exceptional cases.'
"If there is a special occasion or if the officials have to take their vehicles to attend events, officers and generals can take their cars even on Fridays," he added.
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