Kathmandu Prepares to Go 24/7: Plans Underway to Open Capital City Round-the-Clock

Kathmandu is preparing to take a historic step toward becoming a truly modern, international metropolis. Following the formal 24-hour operation mandate granted to Thamel and Durbarmarg on April 13, 2024 (Baisakh 1, 2081), authorities have initiated top-level preparations to expand the round-the-clock operational framework across the entire capital city of Kathmandu.

Speaking at an interaction program on peace and security organized by the Thamel Tourism Development Council, Kathmandu’s Chief District Officer (CDO) Eshwor Raj Poudel confirmed that high-level consultations are underway with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs to operationalize Kathmandu 24/7.

Unlocking the “Night-Time Economy”: Boost for Gen-Z & Diaspora Entrepreneurs

For decades, strict evening curfews and security restrictions forced commercial hubs across Kathmandu to shut down by 10 PM. Transitioning into a continuous 24-hour city shifts the economic landscape significantly:

• Employment Generation: A round-the-clock operational framework expands employment across food services, public transport, retail, logistics, security, and municipal management.
• Support for Remote Workers & Freelancers: Kathmandu has become a major hub for tech freelancers, remote engineers, and diaspora-backed startups operating across different global time zones. A 24/7 ecosystem provides essential co-working spaces, cafes, and infrastructure for this workforce.
• Tourism Amplification: Transforming Kathmandu into an active night destination increases average tourist retention and daily expenditure, benefiting local artisans, hotel operators, and cultural performers.

Addressing Security Concerns and Infrastructure Bottlenecks

While business owners and young entrepreneurs have welcomed the initiative, municipal and security authorities are formulating strict compliance guidelines to address urban friction:

1. Combating Illegal Activities: CDO Poudel noted that regulating nighttime activities requires strict enforcement against illicit trade, noise pollution, and unauthorized operations, urging property owners and merchants to maintain business integrity.
2. Municipal Management: Muktiram Aryal, Chief Administrative Officer of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), highlighted ongoing collaborative interventions to streamline public restrooms, waste management, traffic congestion, and parking enforcement across night hubs.
3. Binding Code of Conduct: Former President of the Thamel Tourism Development Council, Bhabishwar Sharma, stressed that the long-studied code of conduct issued by the District Administration Office must be enforced rigorously to establish a safe, standardized model for tourist safety.

If executed with structural oversight and modern technology, the move to open Kathmandu 24/7 will serve as a definitive turning point for Nepal’s urban economic growth.