Majority of the businessmen including the locals seem elated because this has eased the traffic congestion and made it safer for pedestrians to walk on the street. However, some traders worry that this may have an adverse effect on their businesses.

“The traffic congestion has eased to a great extent along the road stretch, which is a good thing. But I am afraid that my business will suffer because less traffic means less people, something which is bad for business,” said Raju Dangol, who owns a shop in Gabahal.

Public vehicle users also have differing opinions about the decision. Most of them feel that making the road stretch one way has made commuting on public vehicles much easier, while some others say that it is taking them even longer to commute to their destination following the decision.

“We are happy with the new system, but if we commute on public vehicles it takes twice as much time than before to reach our destination,” said Roshni Maharjan.

District Traffic Office, Lalitpur, on Sunday decided to make the road section one way as the “narrow stretch of road was causing many accidents”, according to District Traffic Office chief Sitaram Hachhethu.  

The road section has been made one way for all vehicles (except motorcycles) for 12 hours from 8 am to 8 pm everyday.