BUTWAL: While most people have already finished their Dashain shopping, business in Butwal—the main commercial hub of western Nepal—has not been encouraging this year.
The Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, and the uncertainty that followed, have cast a shadow over the festive season.
Even before that, the economic slowdown had already made Butwal’s market dull. The political turmoil after the protests has further affected trade.
Asha Gurung (55) of Belbas, Butwal, said she bought only essential items this year.
“I only purchased one set of clothes for my daughters and some food items,” she said. “Given the country’s situation, we can’t afford to spend freely.”
Like her, many consumers are seen buying only basic goods. This is mainly due to the current political situation.
“There is no festive mood among consumers this year,” said Hari Prasad Aryal, president of the Butwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The latest events have created a vacuum, and business is nowhere near last year’s levels.”
He estimated a 50% drop in sales. “Floods and landslides disrupting road travel have also dampened the mood,” he added.
Gokul Bishwakarma, president of the Butwal Gold and Silver Association, also said that trade has declined sharply and a sense of insecurity persists following the protests. “Never before have we seen such silence during Nepal’s biggest festivals,” he said. “Rising gold price hikes have also discouraged buyers.”
Khadga Bahadur Thapa, who runs Shivani Saree Center in Amarpath, said overall sales are down due to both expanding consumer options and people adopting a frugal spending habit. “Business in Butwal has also shrunk because of its proximity to the Indian border,” Thapa said, adding that stricter customs checks at the Sunauli border could boost local markets.
Although people are still buying essentials like clothes, food and mobile phones, the market lacks the usual festive buzz. Tika Sunar, who runs New Chand Cosmetic Shop in Amarpath, said her sales have been falling every year. She also blamed weak border controls that have pushed consumers toward Indian markets.
In fact, Bhairahawa is more affected by the Indian border markets than Butwal. To encourage local people to shop for their essentials in Bhairahawa, the Siddharthanagar Chamber of Commerce has been organizing a Dashain discount market for several years to retain customers. The fifth such fair was held from September 24–28 this year. Business leaders say that although the fair has succeeded in preventing shoppers from going to India to some extent, sales have remained moderate.
Transport woes due to poor roads
The transport sector has also been badly hit ahead of Dashain. According to Jivan Banjade, director of Western Nepal Bus Entrepreneurs Committee, tickets worth around Rs 1 million are being canceled daily for buses leaving Kathmandu. “Travel from Kathmandu has become very difficult due to road conditions,” he said.
Although roads from Butwal to Gulmi, Palpa and Syangja are in normal condition, the Kathmandu–Butwal route has seen a decline in bus bookings this Dashain. “We are doing our best to provide smooth service to passengers,” Banjade added.
