KATHMANDU: The nationwide protest by school teachers entered its 20th day, with demonstrations continuing in the Maitighar to New Baneshwor stretch—one of the busiest corridors of the Kathmandu Valley.
Although the protests have remained peaceful, they have created major disruptions in traffic management. Daily commuters are experiencing route diversions, prolonged congestion, and significant delays, particularly during peak hours. Students, office-goers, and business owners are among those most affected by the ongoing traffic chaos.
Ram Prasad Dahal, 35, a resident of Lokanthali, Bhaktapur, shared that his daily schedule has been severely disrupted due to the extended commute caused by the demonstrations. “What used to be a manageable trip to work has now turned into an exhausting ordeal,” he said.
Mina Lama, 28, of Old Baneshwor echoed similar sentiments. She urged protesting teachers to be mindful of the impact on ordinary commuters, saying, “I support their cause, but the way it’s being carried out is causing unnecessary hardship for many.”
Superintendent of Police Deepak Giri, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, acknowledged the inconvenience but said traffic diversions are necessary to ensure public safety during large gatherings. “We understand the trouble it’s causing, but the diversions are unavoidable under the current circumstances,” he said.
Despite several rounds of talks between the government and the agitating teachers, a resolution has yet to be reached. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has held informal discussions with the Confederation of Nepalese Teachers (CNT), but the deadlock remains.
Ministry spokesperson Shiva Kumar Sapkota said efforts are ongoing to address the teachers’ demands in a comprehensive manner. However, CNT Chair Laxmi Kishor Subedi said there has been no meaningful breakthrough so far. “Although we’ve engaged in unofficial dialogue, no substantial agreement has been reached,” he said, adding that the protest will continue for a few more days.
Subedi emphasized that the movement includes representation from all 77 districts and 753 local levels, underlining the scale and seriousness of the teachers’ concerns. “This protest is rooted in our commitment to securing long-overdue reforms in the education sector,” he said.
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