Kathmandu. In a bid to curb fuel consumption, the government has declared a holiday in schools and offices on Saturdays as well as Sundays. However, even during the holidays, the traffic congestion at the main intersections of Kathmandu does not seem to have decreased completely.

Major thoroughfares like Kalanki, Chabahil, New Baneshwor, Maitighar, Gaushala and Jadibuti have seen heavy traffic jam from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Sunday. In some places, it was a little more crowded on Sunday than on Saturday. Despite the government holiday, most of the private companies are operating their offices at regular hours.

Overall, the number of vehicles is decreasing as compared to the past, according to the Traffic Police. Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nawaraj Adhikari said the number of vehicles plying on the roads has decreased by almost 50 percent. “It’s a little bit more pressure on Sunday than on Saturday, but it’s not the same as before,” he said.

The traffic jam seen at the main intersections is said to be in the process of managing the traffic and making arrangements for the movement. See the rest of the image: