KATHMANDU: Kathmandu is set to face severe traffic disruptions on Friday as pro-republican and pro-monarchist groups hold large-scale demonstrations in different parts of the city.
The government has designated separate venues for the rallies and deployed security personnel, but significant congestion and travel delays are expected throughout the day.
The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, has allowed pro-republican groups to gather at Exhibition Road-Bhrikutimandap, while pro-monarchist demonstrators will hold their rally at Tinkune. To maintain order, a joint security mechanism involving the administration offices of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur has been put in place.
Kathmandu’s Chief District Officer (CDO) Rishiram Tiwari stated that security personnel have been mobilized and alternative traffic routes have been arranged.
“We have made full preparations to manage security, but given the scale of these demonstrations, heavy traffic congestion is likely,” he said.
The pro-republican rally, led by the Socialist Front, will move through eight different routes—Maitighar Mandala, Kupandol, Tripureshwor, Sundhara, New Road, Sohrakhutte, Shanti Batika, and Maitidevi—before culminating at Bhrikutimandap.
Meanwhile, the pro-monarchist rally, organized under the banner of ‘Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizen Protection Campaign,’ will be held at Tinkune.
Authorities have urged commuters to avoid these areas and use alternative routes to minimize travel disruptions. With thousands of demonstrators expected to march through key intersections, traffic movement across the valley is likely to be severely affected throughout the day.
Comment