Kathmandu's Asan Market Implements Vehicle-Free Saturdays Amidst Mixed Reactions

Kathmandu. Asan, a historic marketplace in Kathmandu, is a place that holds everything from salt to gold, connecting the past to the present and residing in the memories of everyone from children to the elderly. To restore its cultural significance, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has banned vehicle movement here every Saturday. This initiative has been in effect since Saturday, Baisakh 5.

However, this decision has revealed a significant gap in understanding between local business owners and city representatives. For Ashok Acharya, who runs a rented shop in Asan after moving from Kavrepalanchok, a 'vehicle-free' Saturday is not a celebration but an economic burden.

He says, 'It might be good culturally, but our landlords do not give us any concessions. In a place where daily expenses are 15,000 to 20,000 rupees, we lose 80,000 rupees directly when it is closed for four Saturdays a month.'

However, another businessman, Sitaram Timalsina, holds a view exactly opposite to Acharya's. He considers this move by the metropolis 'welcome'.

'It does have some impact, but this is a good thing. It has become an advertisement for our art, culture, and food,' says Timalsina. 'The Metropolitan City is doing a good job.' According to him, the lack of vehicles on Saturday does not deal a major blow to business.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol views this campaign as a major 'vision'. She has described Asan as a 'living museum'.

'A city is not just for cars, but also for common citizens and pedestrians,' says Dangol. 'We want to send a message that we should be able to walk comfortably in our own space. The main objective is for children to be able to play freely in the squares while holding their grandparents' hands.'

Acknowledging that the importance of Asan's temples and courtyards was being eroded by the noise of vehicle horns, she defined Saturday as an 'opportunity to experience Asan'.