Kathmandu, February 8:

The night amusement park also called the night market at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is evacuated today citing that the market has corrupted the environment of the protected monument zones listed by the UNESCO.

Scrapping a ten-year agreement with the Raj Gharana Dance Restaurant and Bar in 2001 to start the night market at the area, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) with the help of police force has closed the night market today.

Earlier, an observation committee to study the activities conducted at the area reported that contract made with the Raj Gharana Dance Restaurant and Bar was violated even after its ultimatum.

Following this, Dinesh Thapalia, chief executive officer of the KMC dispatched an order on February 6 to terminate the contract and close the night market from February 8.

SP Sarbendra Khanal at the Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, said the activities at the night market were against the contract and convenience of locals and corrupted the image of the heritage site. “It was even difficult for ambulances and fire-brigade to pass-by,” he said.

Due to the night market, shops of handicrafts, food stalls, ornaments and jewelleries occupied the Durbar Square, leaving no space for vehicles and commuters. The market used to start at 5 pm till 10 pm during winter and from 7 pm to 11 pm in summer.

According to the contract, the restaurant should enhance the culture and beauty of the Durbar

Square area, sell local goods and handicrafts and do not sell food items, leaving adequate space for commuters and vehicles.

As the agreement was violated and the matters not mentioned in the contract were conducted

at the area, the market was closed, said Raju Shrestha, chief of Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Conservation Programme of KMC.

After receiving several complaints, the KMC gave a month of ultimatum to the contractor to abide by it on December 14, but the ultimatum was not taken into account, he added.