KMC initiates ‘Vehicle-Free Asan’ every Saturday from mid-April

With a strong will to preserve the originality and cultural values of the Asan area in Kathmandu, a Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has decided to prohibit the entry of vehicles every Saturday with effective the first Saturday2026 April 18of Bikram Sambat, Nepali Official Calendar.

Under the “Vehicle-Free Asan” programme, vehicle entry will be prohibited every Saturday in the areas from Kamalakshi Chowk to Asan, Bhotahiti Chowk to Asan, and Mahabouddha to Asan within of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No.27. Moreover, the area will be developed as a heritage route to promote traditional local trade and indigenous businesses organising original cultural programmes and social activities will also be organized.

A meeting chaired by KMC Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol decided to implement the programme with better preparation. The meeting was attended by Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain, chairperson of the Ward No. 27 YogeshKhadgi, Head of Administration Mahesh Kafle, officials from concerned offices, representatives of local organizations, clubs, and community members.

Acting Mayor Dangol, at the meeting, said that Asan is a place that serves everything from gold to salt and supports religious and social functions from birth to death. It is our responsibility to preserve its ancient and cultural significance. She emphasized that the programme would be launched under the leadership of the ward office with active participation from stakeholders, partners, and the local community to ensure its long-term sustainability. She also stressed that the program will be implemented by giving top priority to the convenience, mobility, and safety of locals.

Ward chairperson Yogesh Khadgi said that the initiative has been moved forward with the support of local organizations, clubs, and the community. He added that the programme would help preserve the originality of Asan Bazaar while also contributing to air pollution control and improvement of the urban environment.

The programme also considers on alternative routes to provide for vehicles heading toward destinations through the restricted area.

The responsibility for the operation and management of the program has been assigned to the KMC Metropolitan Police Force.

Asanin Kathmandu is one of the oldest and busiest traditional marketplaces in Nepal. For generations, it has served as the daily shopping hub for locals- selling everything from food grains, fresh vegetables, spices, textiles, foot wears, religious offerings items, kitchen utensils, hard wares, books and what not at an old environment. The narrow alleys, the fragrance of roasted spices, the sound of temple bells, and the sight of locals bargaining all tell the story of a city that has kept its traditions alive for centuries. Asan’s history stretches back over a thousand years. During the Malla period, it became a significant stop on the India – Tibet salt trade route, where traders exchanged salt for rice, grains, and metal goods.

Over time, Asan evolved from a trade junction into a cultural and spiritual hub, surrounded by temples, courtyards, and traditional Newari homes. Even today, it retains its charm as one of the few places in Kathmandu where daily life still feels deeply tied to its past. So, it is rightly called Asan is more than just a market – it’s a living museum and also a supermarket but varied vendors. The Annapurna Temple is the most attractive part in Asan centre while there is sculpture of Nya Lohan (stone fish) with interesting legend of an ancient astrologer and his perfect prediction with cultural values lies silently there. The Yita Chapaa, the quarantine space used hundreds of years ago is another attraction.

Almost all festivals and Jatra in Kathmandu passes through the Ason Square – the chariot pulling festival of Jambahadyo (Seto Machhindranath), chariot pulling festival of Kumar, the Living Goddess, Dyo Lwakegu Jatra (a vivid part of Pahancharhe), GaiJatra are some to mention.

Moreover, the rich neighbourhood also allure visitors to enjoy. Jwalamai Temple at Tyauda, Shreeghah Bihar at Naghal, The Jambahadyo (Seto Machhindranath) Temple and Paltanghar provide extra excitement of visiting Asan not only for shopping but also feel back to be ages back history. The Akash Bhairaba Temple also on the way to Asan from Hanumandhoka Durbar square at a short distance. Likewise, Thamel, the famous tourist hub is also at a walking distance.