This is how New Road streets look after the parking ban [In Pictures]

KATHMANDU: Businesses in New Road, a bustling shopping district at the heart of Kathmandu, on Tuesday morning closed their doors in protest of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s decision to ban parking on the black-topped road.

The metropolis published a notice on Tuesday declaring a prohibition on motor vehicle parking in the New Road Area. “People coming to New Road can park their vehicles free of cost at Kathmandu Tower, located in the Old Bus Park. The facility can accommodate 300 four-wheelers and 700 two-wheelers,” the metropolis said in the notice.

The businesses, however, gradually opened their doors as the day progressed. New Road is the latest area in Kathmandu to face parking restrictions. Kathmandu Metropolitan City earlier prohibited parking in prominent locations such as Bagbazaar, Putalisadak, Durbar Marg, and Jhochhen, among others.