•      Sat Sep 28 2024
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Kathmandu footpaths, a bustling life



KATHMANDU: As evening falls in the capital of Nepal, the speed of the passenger congestion continues to increase. Kathmandu municipal police duty ends at the same time. And on the sidewalk begins the grandeur of merchants.

Rising evening traffic, crowds of passengers and sidewalk shops. The main markets of the capital are impassable. In fact, the sidewalks are jammed at this time. Many traders carry on their business after the city police started chasing them while they were trading on the streets.

The same is true of those who carry bags, chains, pendants and polishes on the street and sell cosmetics. Drivers say that it is difficult to park and stop public transport due to the sidewalk market.

There are also stories of many fleeing saying that their income has decreased when the sidewalks are open for only two or three hours daily.

Those who trade in shutters should not be stingy in saying that the traffic pressure is increasing on the road as they go down the aisle to sell stale vegetables like old and scotch. The sidewalk is often cluttered in the evening. The same goes for motorcycle parking on the road. In the evening you reach the chowk to see the scene of doing business by putting goods on the same parked motorcycle.

Numerous traders are dependent on street trade in the streets of Kalanki, Asan, Indrachowk, Lagankhel and Koteshwor of Kathmandu. The municipality has not been able to impose a complete ban on street trade due to the plight of the urban poor who find it difficult to make ends meet. But road trade is banned throughout the day.

The sidewalk market is open every day after 5 pm. With the cold weather of the evening, sidewalk traders make their living. And from that business they have to build a bright future for their children and family.