KATHMANDU: Footpaths in Kathmandu’s New Road and surrounding areas have once again become congested with street vendors following a noticeable decline in the presence of Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s municipal police.
Until recently, municipal police had been regularly deployed to prevent encroachment on footpaths and enforce restrictions on roadside trading, including designated operating hours for vendors.
However, municipal police have been less visible on the streets since the incident involving Ganesh Nepali, who later died after setting himself on fire outside the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor.
A municipal police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said routine street patrols had been scaled back temporarily due to concerns over possible attacks or security risks following the incident.
With fewer municipal police on duty, street vendors have returned to footpaths in New Road and other parts of the capital, while cases of haphazard parking have also increased.
The growing number of vendors has forced pedestrians to walk on the road, affecting traffic flow and contributing to congestion, according to local residents.
Photos: Nepal Photo Library
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