KATHMANDU, April 5: A new strict prohibition on speeding and honking has been mandated for vehicles traversing the streets of Thamel. Vehicles cannot be driven at high speed in Thamel, the main tourist hub of the federal capital.
The Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC) in collaboration with the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Thamel has decided that speeding and honking of horns will not be allowed inside Thamel, a major tourist spot in Kathmandu.
Kamal Gurung, head of Traffic Police Division, Thamel, said that it has been decided to place speed limit boards at key intersections in Thamel and monitor it through CCTV cameras. "Vehicles must adhere to a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour within Thamel's lane," he said.
Tourist information center opened in Thamel
He said that it has been decided to take action against vehicles honking excessively within the Thamel area. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has already banned honking in the Kathmandu Valley.
President of TTDC Bhabishwor Sharma said that the traffic management is going to be made stricter in order to operate the Thamel area in an orderly manner. “Traffic control measures will be deployed across all nine entry and exit points of Thamel," he said.
Sharma said that even the rickshaws operating in Thamel are going to be designated with one-way routes. In the meeting on Thursday, the TTDC and the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division decided to request all businessmen and house owners to limit water tanker operations in Thamel to the early morning hours, from 4 AM to 6 AM.
For the security of the Thamel area, 120 CCTV cameras have been installed throughout Thamel's streets, facilitated by Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Kathmandu Valley Police Office.
On the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, District Administration Office, Kathmandu, recently decided to operate Thamel and Durbar Marg 24 hours a day.
