POKHARA, Dec 20: On November 8, 2023, the High Court, Pokhara, issued an interim order allowing the tourist area of Lakeside to remain open 24 hours. The court directed the District Administration Office, Kaski, not to prevent or interfere with business operations in the area.
According to Clause 25 of the Home Administration Reform Plan 2074, tourist areas such as Thamel and Durbar Marg in Kathmandu, as well as Pokhara’s Lakeside, were to remain open 24 hours with necessary security arrangements.
However, as the provision was not implemented, a writ was filed against the District Administration Office. Following the court’s order, tourism entrepreneurs began operating their businesses at Lakeside for 24 hours, while some businesses operated late at night.
Want to party till dawn? Lakeside is the place!
Not only the court but also the Chief Minister of Gandaki Province had requested entrepreneurs to keep Lakeside open for 24 hours and instructed security agencies to make arrangements accordingly. With public attention and administrative support, Lakeside was advertised as operating round-the-clock.
Now, however, that promotion has become a burden for entrepreneurs. Tourists expecting 24-hour service demand services at midnight, creating management challenges. Limited businesses have benefited, while the majority face difficulties due to the provision. Entrepreneurs also report increased security challenges during night operations.
Laxman Subedi, president of Pokhara Hotel Association, said, “Promoting Pokhara as open 24 hours has spread a misconception. Nighttime operations at Lakeside have become harmful for tourism.” He added that only businesses capable of adhering to a 42-point code of conduct can operate 24 hours, but there is rumor that all of Lakeside is open all night. Some domestic tourists place food orders even at 2 am,” he said, “We cannot provide service at all hours. Managing extra staff for night service is difficult.” To operate at night, entrepreneurs must manage three shifts of employees. “Employees are assigned in eight-hour shifts; otherwise, continuous service isn’t feasible. Tourists expect night service, but we cannot provide it,” he added.
Despite earlier claims that 24-hour operation would transform tourism in Pokhara, Subedi said nothing of that sort has occurred. Although a code of conduct was established with the administration and entrepreneurs, it has not been followed. “Implementation was forced without infrastructure; it didn’t help businesses,” he said.
Bharat Raj Parajuli, central member of the Hotel Association, said the 42-point code intended for orderly operations has not been enforced. “24-hour operations were supposed to minimize impact on others, but that environment does not exist. Midnight motorcycle noise disturbs locals, children, and elderly,” he said. “Monitoring and discipline among entrepreneurs have been absent. There’s no need to keep Lakeside open 24 hours now.”
Naresh Bhattarai, former president of the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), said the initiative began anticipating tourists after Pokhara was declared a tourist capital and with an international airport. “But without monitoring, problems arose. Security challenges increased. Only a few entrepreneurs manage effectively, most face difficulties. It’s time to reconsider,” he said.
In the future, with sufficient international flights and more tourists, operating hours could be extended. “Entrepreneurs are willing to operate until 2 a.m., but no proper management exists. Security challenges remain,” Bhattarai said.
