Kathmandu, July 11

Koteshwor has been declared a no-go zone for freight vehicles, including trucks, tippers and power trailer tractors, during peak hours.

Traffic police said they would not allow any freight vehicles to pass through the Koteshwor intersection from tomorrow.

“No such vehicles will be permitted to operate in Koteshwor from 8:30 to10:30am and 3:30 to 6:30pm until further notice,” said Metropolitan Traffic Police Division.

A joint meeting of MTPD, Department of Transport Management and transport entrepreneurs took a decision to this effect. Heavy movement of trucks, tippers and power trailer tractors have been blamed for the worsening traffic congestion in the area.

Earlier, they had decided to allow long-route vehicles leaving and entering Kathmandu Valley to operate only from Gongabu Bus Park. The new rule is aimed at streamlining transportation system as many long-route vehicles are found haphazardly picking and dropping passengers obstructing movement of other vehicles.

As per the decision, the buses entering the Valley from Kalanki will directly go to the bus park and exit from the same point. Those vehicles not abiding by this rule will be brought to book with effect from July 16, said traffic police.

Similarly, a ban is already in place on parking vehicles in greenbelt areas along the Ring Road from July 9.