Plan discussed to open Thamel 24 hours

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 6: Preparations have been made to keep Thamel and Durbar Marg open 24 hours a day from the coming New Year 2081.

To keep Durbar Marg and Thamel tourist areas open 24 hours a day, a ‘coordination and interaction programme’ was held in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane at the Ministry of Home Affairs with stakeholders related to full-time business operations on Friday.

Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Jitendra Basnet said that Thamel and Durbar Marga will be opened 24 hours a day from the first Baisakh (April 13). 

CDO Basnet has said that the administration has also made a procedure for a 24-hour business operation to ensure the safety and security of the business, customers and locals residing around the Thamel area. 

It has been mentioned in the procedure that people who are unconscious due to alcohol consumption should be taken to their homes by businessmen, and dances, discos, dohari clubs and other amusement centres be conducted in a noise-free manner.

The government has restricted performing obscene dances in the dance bars, and the performance should reflect originality and Nepali culture as well. 

CDO Basnet said that Nepali citizens aged below 18 years are prohibited from entering clubs and cannot be employed as labourers. According to the procedure of the DAO, nightlife business will operate from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol said that although the decision to open the market 24 hours was right, safety and the right of locals to sleep well without disturbance should also be taken into consideration. 

Dangol said, “In the Judicial Committee of ward levels, many complaints have come from Thamel regarding noise pollution disturbing the locals. Locals complained that they had to take sleeping tablets to sleep. The soundproof system should be made mandatorily.”