by Shristi Kafle
KATHMANDU, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Thamel has been the major attraction of tourism industry in Nepal's capital for over four decades. From hippie days to the modern times, this 100-square-km area has been regarded as a haven for tourists from any corners of the world.
With numerous star and boutique hotels, restaurants and bars, and shops that cater to global tourists, Thamel is slowly turning into a commercial hub amid traffic congestion, crowds, waste and pollution.
But this Sunday morning, the vibrant Thamel looked silent and composed, and what's behind is that it became a "vehicle-free zone," effective from this Sunday.
A team from Metropolitan Traffic Police Division and Thamel Tourism Promotion Council, along with local leaders, gathered on the spot and formally announced the drive by placing several "Vehicle Free Zone" boards on the streets.
Sarbendra Khanal, chief of the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, told Xinhua that "Thamel is facing traffic congestion since long due to haphazard movement of unwanted vehicles. There is also sound pollution and tourists have to face various hassles so we have launched this drive to make Thamel well managed."
The drive aims to make the movement of foreign tourists hassle- free, ensure safety of pedestrians and make Thamel a more livable place in Kathmandu. This initiative is part of a long-term vision of promoting this popular tourist destination as a walking zone as in other tourist spots of the world.
Since the roads in Thamel are narrow and poor, tourists and other pedestrians often face risks due to haphazard movement of vehicles.
To be noted, it is not a complete blanket ban on vehicular movement inside the Thamel, vehicles have been restricted into certain routes. In its preliminary phase, the vehicle-free zone has covered a few road sections, but has been planned to expand gradually.
Foreign tourists strolling Thamel have welcomed the latest move, saying it would make Thamel more likeable among tourists.
Martin, 65, a tourist from the Netherlands, shared with Xinhua, saying, "It is the best idea that I have heard in long time. It's very difficult to walk and enjoy as every time, motorbikes and taxis create disturbance. This move is welcoming."
His comments were echoed by several other foreign tourists who were roaming in Thamel on Sunday afternoon.
"It's amazing; it will make Thamel a better place. I think it makes it easier for people to wander or to shop and to spend their money and help the economy," a French tourist, Lauren, told Xinhua.
Before the implementation of the plan, various stakeholders including civil societies, local clubs and tourism entrepreneurs had held several rounds of discussions with Metropolitan Traffic Police Division and Thamel Tourism Promotion Council with regard to this drive.
There are concerns from hoteliers and entrepreneurs regarding supply of items and receiving foreign guests and the council has ensured special passes and necessary arrangements for the effective implementation of plan.
Though the tourism entrepreneurs are of view that this decision might cause difficulty in their business, authorities hold that it will yield positive results in the long run. They are hopeful that the vehicle-free-zone would contribute for the overall development of Thamel and tourism promotion of the country.
"Nobody is coming here to make our city or area managed and beautiful, its our collective responsibility. Such campaigns will attract more number of foreign tourists in the long term", Khem Tiwari, a local leader from Thamel, said.
According to the council, there are nearly 5,000 tourism enterprises in Thamel while around 30,000 people are directly and indirectly employed.
