Kathmandu Metropolitan City to Launch "Vibrant and Prosperous Asan" Program

Kathmandu. Kathmandu Metropolitan City is starting social, cultural, and traditional activities in the Asan area from Saturday under the slogan "Vibrant and Prosperous (Asan) Asan."

Spokesperson Navin Manandhar informed that this program is being launched with the aim of reviving the physical heritage of the Asan market, which is entering modernity, as well as the intangible heritage associated with this area. He stated that the "Vibrant and Prosperous Asan" program is an effort to stop the negative impacts of management challenges added to Kathmandu's inner city areas due to human and vehicular traffic pressure lately, and to revive the religious, cultural, and social lifestyles based on ancestral knowledge and skills.

According to him, activities such as social and cultural displays, exhibitions of indigenous knowledge and skills, singing, music, and dance will be conducted in the Asan area. There will be displays and promotional activities for the preservation and promotion of the living tangible and intangible heritage in the area, as well as traditional religious, cultural, social, and traditional commercial activities.

The program, starting under the leadership of Ward No. 27 office and with the participation and local ownership of local clubs including Annapurna RCT Club, Tole Lane Improvement Committees, Guthiyar stakeholders, and partners, will be conducted in the area from Kamalachhi Chowk to Asan, Bhotahity Chowk to Asan, and Mahabouddha to Asan. During this program, which will be held every Saturday, vehicle entry will be prohibited in the areas where the program is being conducted.

During the program hours, vehicles will not be allowed to enter towards Asan from Kamalachhi Singh Dhoka on the Jamal side. Similarly, entry towards Asan from Bhotahity Kalash Dhoka will not be permitted. Vehicle entry will be prohibited from Bir Hospital towards the Mahabouddha Stupa. Entry towards the Mahabouddha Stupa from Watu Ganesh and the Ganesh Temple located at Bhansi will not be allowed. Vehicle entry from Indrachowk will be stopped. Entry of even motorcycles from Machhindra Bahal and Mansa Galli will be prohibited. 

Entry forward from Gosiph through Tyaud Galli will not be allowed. From Gosiph, one can go to Inbahal and the Inbahal Ganesh Temple. Entry from the Ganesh Temple towards Pilantu Galli will be prohibited. Going towards Asan from Nhakhetla will not be allowed. From the Kantipath side, entry from Jyatha Annapurna School towards Bhamulu Galli will be stopped.

Vehicle owners passing through this area will have to use alternative routes. Similarly, visitors coming to Asan on this day must park their vehicles at the Dharahara underground parking, Jamal Bahal, Durbar High School, and other designated places and enter Asan on foot.

The Metropolitan City believes that the program conducted in this manner will develop the entrepreneurship and business of the local residents. Along with the program conducted by Ward 27, preparations are also underway to conduct programs in the Ward 25 area. For this, the ward is conducting discussions at the community level.

Free Water ATM Machine Operation

Free water ATM machines will be inaugurated on Baisakh 5. Eight water ATM booths have been constructed within Kathmandu Metropolitan City at a cost of approximately 26 million rupees. From these water ATMs, constructed with equal cost participation from Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Valley Water Supply Management Board, drinking water of National Drinking Water Quality Standard 2079 level will be available for free.

This system has been installed at Kathmandu's Khula Manch, City Hall, outside Durbar High School, Ward No. 17 Link Road Dhalko Chowk, Ward No. 5 Narade (Handigaun), Ward No. 26 premises, and Ward No. 31 premises.