Traffic in core areas of the Capital city was thrown out of gear throughout the day on Friday due to a rally and mass meeting organised by the opposition front led by the CPN-UML.

Nine opposition parties took to the streets on Friday as part of what they called a “show of strength” against the government move of registering a constitution amendment bill at the Parliament Secretariat. The UML-led opposition bloc has been protesting in the streets and Parliament against the bill.

According to Madhusudhan Silwal, operational chief of the Metropolitan Traffic Division, as many as 300 traffic police personnel were deployed at 20 different places, including Ratnapark, Jamal, Thamel, Sorhakhutte, Basantapur, Lainchaur, Bhadrakali, Thapathali, Maitighar, Lazimpat, Purano Baneshwor, Dillibiazaar and Bagbazaar, in Kathmandu, on Friday.

Commuters faced a tough time as traffic movement was hugely affected from 11am to 5:30pm.

Binod Dhakal, a commuter, said he was stuck in traffic for around two hours while on way to Maharajgunj where he works.“It was quite frustrating,” he said.

Merina Karki, an employee at the Nepal Airlines Corporation, said she was stuck at the New Road get for hours while returning home. “Why do political parties inconvenience the general public?” she wondered.

During his address, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, however, sought apology “for obstructing and causing difficulties” to member of the public. But he argued that it was done out of compulsion as “we have to be vigilant in watching for activities of the government”.