National
Lakeside all set for no-vehicle plan
Preparations are on to make Lakeside, a major tourist hub in Pokhara, as “no-vehicle zone” soon with an objective to ease the movement of pedestrians.Deepak Pariyar
Preparations are on to make Lakeside, a major tourist hub in Pokhara, as “no-vehicle zone” soon with an objective to ease the movement of pedestrians.
Authorities concerned are planning to enforce no-vehicle rule partially from Hallanchowk to Barahichowk in Lakeside from March 23. The no-vehicle rule will be implemented from 5-11pm on every Friday and Saturday in the initial phase.
As per the request of tourists, entrepreneurs and the local people, Community Service Centre (CSC) and Community Police have taken initiatives to make the busy tourist spot no-vehicle zone.
In a bid to make, the no-vehicle campaign a grand success, a committee has been formed under the leadership of Jagat Bahadur Pahari, the ward chairman of Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolis-6. Pokhara Tourist Council, the CSC, Pokhara chapter of Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, Western Regional Hotel Association, regional office Nepal Tourism Board, local youth clubs and mothers’ groups are members of the committee.
The authorities in Kathmandu have effectively implemented vehicle-free plan in Thamal, the Capital’s major tourist destination, since January.
Baidam CSC President Bhim Parajuli said that an all-party meeting of stakeholders held on Thursday decided to implement vehicle-free plan in Lakeside. According to him, all types of vehicles, except during the emergencies like ambulance and fire engine, will be banned along 1.5 km long road from Hallanchowk to Barahichowk. We have managed parking for the vehicles in Campingchaur and Barahaghat, added Parajuli.
Tourism authorities and entrepreneurs are of opinion that vehicles should be managed in Lakeside that has shrunk owing to infrastructure development and human activities.
Pokhara Tourism Council Chairman Kedarnath Sharma said, “We should make such environment so that tourists can walk freely in Lakeside area by imposing ban on vehicle. No-vehicle plan will create peaceful environment that will certainly promote tourism in the area.”
The no-vehicle plan will initially be implemented for two days. Pahari said that the plan could be implemented for whole the week if the two-day ban proves successful. “We can restrict vehicles whole the week except those carrying goods during specific time,” he added.
Tourism authorities, entrepreneurs and the locals have been working hand in hand to make the no-vehicle campaign a success. They are planning to organise cultural programmes, awareness activities and recreational activities along with the interaction with the local people.
This is not the first time for no-vehicle plan in Lakeside. The vehicle-free plan had been enforced for seven months five years ago. Tourism entrepreneur Surya Bahadur Bhujel, who was the chairman of committee to implement the vehicle-free plan then, said that they would successfully implement the plan now by correcting some drawbacks that they witnessed at that time.