Neupaneji, Although I have not traveled on Nepal?s highways recently, my assumption is that most of the major highways, including the recently rehabilitated Mugling-Narayanghat road, are in reasonable condition. There is no doubt, however, that there are many feeder roads (and some major ones), that are in poor to dangerously poor condition. Lane dividers seemed to be virtually non-existent till the mid 90?s. Curve signs on major highways seemed to be adequate (speaking as a non-driver then hai). What I have realized after coming to the US, is the lack of guard rails. Except for between Naubise and Mugling (and that was after rehabilitation in the early 90?s), I don?t recall seeing guard rails anywhere else. Other than acting as warning signs, the short concrete pillars with black and white stripes are not adequate to prevent vehicles from falling down the cliffs. It is not, however, only the road conditions and lack of safety signs that contribute to the accidents. If the lane dividers and curve signs as well as other safety warnings are ignored by the drivers, then their existence does not mean anything. I do agree with most of Ashu's points in his Nepali Times ko article. There are a few more points I would like to add. Apart from the checkpoints at Nagdhunga (exiting Kathmandu) and Thankot (entering Kathmandu), perhaps there was no other checkpoint that required a stop longer than a few minutes. Even at the points I mentioned, I don't recall spending more than 10-15 min even during the busiest hours. Now, drivers spend a much longer time waiting at the numerous check points. For example, during normal times, it used to take about 6 hours to reach Hetauda from Kathmandu on a passenger bus (allowing a chiya and meal stop enroute). Now it probably takes around 8 or 9 hours due to the endless series of checkpoints. Furthermore, curfews along many stretches of the highways force buses and trucks that used to run during the night to run during the day. Therefore the highways are more congested. To make matters worse, drivers, who are already both physically and mentally exhausted due to security checks and increased time behind the wheels, tend to rush to beat the curfews. Even during better times, most of the public vehicles were known to be poorly maintained. This was particularly true for buses belonging to the cartels known as syndicates/samitees. Even long distance buses, mostly those plying in the western parts of the country, were in dilapidated condition. One can only imagine how they are maintained now as entrepreneurs are facing a financial crunch due to the current situation. Are there even any standards for vehicle maintenance? Drivers (who themselves may not be properly trained and licensed) are often known to allow their helpers take control of the wheel. Indeed, I have witnessed one such incident on a minibus from Kodari to Barabise. While the driver was on his seat with foot controls, he allowed the conductor (may be in his mid teens) take the steering except when near checkpoints (there were several customs/police checkpoints in the 26 km stretch in the early 90?s). Both of them were chatting with other passengers, and a slight mistake could have easily got us in to the gorge of the Bhote Koshi along that unpaved road dotted with landslides. I recall another incident when returning to Kathmandu from Pokhara. We were somewhere between Mugling and Khaireni, and a landslide had blocked about half of the road for about 10 meters. The driver did not slow down at all on that stretch, and the speed was probably around 50 or 60 km/hr. Kaso Marsyangdi ma jhariena. A friend of mine once happened to be in the ?cabin? of a bus, along with the driver ko sathi. Somewhere along the Prithvi Highway, the driver decided to pass a sharp curve with his eyes shut, apparently in a show-off bid. Such instances of negligence, show offs, and overconfidence are numerous. Furthermore, jaad khaera chalaune haru pani dherai nai chan. Ani naparos ta accident? I vividly remember an accident that occurred during the last months of the Panchayat days. A bus belonging to Subidha Travels with registration # BA A KH 2332, on its? way to Kathmandu from Biratnagar, fell into the Trisuli at Jogimara. All passengers except for some on the roof were killed. That news made headlines for days. Occasionally, there used to be news of accidents at one particular point between Mugling and Narayanghat, where a temple was constructed later. Ironically these days, such news about accidents can be read everyday.