• Vehicles would not be allowed in the area from Hallan Chowk to Barahi Chowk

Pokhara, March 21

Pokhara-Lekhnath Metropolitan City is all set to make Lakeside, a major tourist hub in the city, by making the Lakeside a no-go-zone for vehicles.

Ward 6 of the metropolis is all set to make the area a no-go-zone for vehicles in collaboration with different tourism related organisations.

Ward 6 chair and coordinator of the ‘no-vehicle zone’ campaign Jagat Bahadur Pahari said vehicles would not be allowed in the area stretching from Hallan Chowk to Barahi Chowk at Lakeside two days in a week in the first phase.

In the first phase, vehicles will be banned from 5:00pm to 1:00am on Friday and Saturday. In the next phase, vehicles will be banned entry to other places.

Community Police Service Baidam Chair Bhim Parajuli said certain areas in the metropolis would soon be declared no-vehicle zone. “Preparation is on to ban vehicles at Lakeside to make it peaceful,” Parajuli said.

Nepal Tourism Board Province 4 Office Chief Surya Thapa said roadside shops would be made to play songs that reflect Nepali art and culture.

According to Western Hotel Association Pokhara Chair Bikal Tulachan said the campaign was aimed at reducing pollution so the people could walk around freely.

Earlier, the three-kilometre stretch of Lakeside was made no-vehicle zone during Nepal Tourism Year-2011. But, at that time, the campaign did not last more than six months due to locals’ protest.