Kathmandu, November 27

The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division has announced odd-even rule for vehicles in Kathmandu valley in a bid to control traffic flow inside the capital during the Asia Pacific Summit, scheduled to be held here from November 30 to December 3.

The odd-even rule will be effective for four days — from November 29 to December 2.

MTPD stated that a decision to this effect was taken as per the Ministry of Home Affairs’ directive to facilitate mobility of foreign dignitaries and guests, as well as representatives of the summit.

It will be applicable to all public and private vehicles, including two-wheelers. However, vehicles on emergency duty, such as ambulances, hearse and those ferrying security personnel and staff of hospitals and educational institutions, will be exempt from the odd-even rule.

Vehicles with number plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) will be allowed to ply the roads on November 29 and December 1, while those ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) can ply the roads on November 30 and December 2.

MTPD states that over 1.2 million vehicles, including 700,000 two-wheelers, ply the valley roads daily. The road space rationing, also known as alternate-day travel, is expected to reduce the traffic by half for four days. Traffic congestion in Kathmandu has become increasingly severe in recent times and the odd-even rule will also decrease traffic jams to create enough road space for movement of participants of the summit, traffic officials said.