Kathmandu Metro introduces free parking at Dharahara

Kathmandu, March 16

A vehicle parking facility built in the Dharahara area under the management of Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been brought into operation.

The metropolitan city began managing and operating the parking area around Dharahara from Falgun 10. Earlier, a Cabinet meeting on Falgun 9 decided to hand over the responsibility for managing and operating vehicle parking in the Dharahara area to Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Following the decision, the parking facility has been taken over by the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Force.

Chief of the Metropolitan Police Force, Bishnu Prasad Joshi, said the parking area was not properly organised in the initial phase. After taking responsibility, the metropolis improved security and infrastructure before bringing the facility into operation.

“In the early days, many things were not properly arranged. After taking responsibility, we installed lighting. There were no fire extinguishers earlier, which are essential in areas where vehicles and potentially flammable materials are present. We have now installed 30 fire extinguishers, 10 on each of the three floors,” he said.

CCTV cameras have also been installed to ensure the security of parked vehicles. According to Joshi, although some cameras were already in place, additional cameras will be installed as needed.

The basement parking at Dharahara has been divided into three sections — B-1, B-2 and B-3. The top level, B-1, has the capacity to accommodate 127 four-wheeled vehicles.

The B-2 level can accommodate around 700 motorcycles.

However, the lowest level, B-3, has experienced some issues with air circulation, which has created difficulties in using the area fully for parking. The level has a capacity for 135 four-wheeled vehicles.

The parking facility has been introduced mainly to serve areas such as Basantapur, Bishal Bazaar, Dharma Path, Pako, Khichapokhari, Sundhara and Jamal. Parking on footpaths and public roads in these areas has been completely prohibited.

According to the metropolis, vehicles are not allowed to park on public roads and sidewalks in wards 1 to 32 within Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Drivers violating the rule will face legal action.

The metropolis has also made arrangements for parking spaces accessible to persons with disabilities.

Joshi said the Dharahara parking service is currently completely free of charge. Metropolitan police personnel are deployed from 6 am to 8 pm.

The parking facility will be open for vehicles to enter from 8 am to 5 pm, while vehicles can be taken out after that time.

“We have arranged free parking and no fee is being charged. Municipal police are deployed from 6 am to 8 pm. Sometimes when vehicle owners arrive late, we even wait until 9 or 10 pm for them,” he said.

However, vehicle owners themselves will be responsible for the safety of their vehicles.

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