Government Studies Plan to Keep All of Kathmandu Open 24 Hours

KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu District Administration Office is studying a proposal to operate the entire capital city around the clock, rather than limiting the initiative to the Thamel area.

Chief District Officer Ishwari Prasad Poudel said discussions were underway with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs on the possibility of keeping Kathmandu open 24 hours a day.

Speaking at an interaction on public security organised by the Thamel Tourism Development Council on Friday, Poudel said the government was working to develop Thamel as a tourism hub. He also stressed the need for cooperation from property owners and business operators to control illegal activities.

He proposed holding monthly meetings at the District Administration Office to address problems in Thamel.

Muktiram Aryal, chief administrative officer of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, said coordination was underway with relevant agencies to address issues including public toilets, haphazard parking, waste management, traffic congestion and begging.

Senior Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad Kafle, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, said traffic police would support efforts to make Thamel a vehicle-free zone if local residents and business operators agreed to the proposal. He also said action would be taken against vehicles parked indiscriminately.

Senior Superintendent of Police Dilip Ghimire, chief of the Kathmandu District Police Range, said cooperation from property owners and business operators was essential to making Thamel safer.

Former council president Bhawishwar Sharma stressed the need to effectively implement the code of conduct introduced on April 13, 2024 (Baisakh 1, 2081 BS), allowing Thamel to operate 24 hours a day.

During the interaction, property owners and business operators raised concerns about difficulties with nighttime movement, drug trafficking and consumption, waste management, haphazard parking and waterlogging in Satghumti caused by drainage problems.

Council president Rajuman Dangol said cooperation among all stakeholders was necessary for Thamel’s tourism development.

The council, established in 1991 (2048 BS), has been working to promote tourism in Thamel, according to its general secretary, Pashupati Kandel.