Several private businesses have resumed services after suffering heavy losses during the violence that followed the Gen-Z protests, while also expressing support for the new government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki.
Bhatbhateni Superstore, one of the worst-hit enterprises, announced on Saturday that it has reopened 16 outlets nationwide. The retail chain, which faced widespread looting and arson, has resumed operations at branches in Tokha, Satdobato, Anamnagar, Sanagaun, Tripureshwor, Patan, Kalanki, Radhe Radhe, and Balaju within the Kathmandu Valley. Outlets in Nepalgunj, Janakpur, Butwal, Birgunj, Dhangadhi, Itahari, and Bhairahawa are also back in service.
The protests caused unprecedented destruction across Nepal’s private sector, with damages running into billions of rupees. Insurers are preparing to settle claims that could exceed Rs 50 billion. Businesses such as Hilton Hotel, Ncell, CG Electronics, Bhatbhateni Supermarket, and Central Business Park were among the hardest hit. Educational institutions, including Global College, Nightingale School, and Ullens School, along with cable car infrastructure in Chandragiri and Maulakalika, were also vandalized.
Banks and financial institutions—including Rastriya Banijya Bank, Himalayan Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Global IME Bank—suffered damages as well. According to the Hotel Association Nepal, about two dozen hotels were affected, with losses in the hospitality sector alone estimated at around Rs 25 billion.
Services are gradually being restored. Banks partially reopened on Friday and are set to resume full operations from Sunday. Kathmandu Metropolitan City has also requested schools that remained closed last week to reopen from Monday. Chandragiri Hills Ltd pledged to restart services soon, stating, “We will rise again and will have smooth operating services shortly.”
Meanwhile, the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), expressed solidarity with the new government, urging for an investment-friendly environment to revive economic activities. “We are ready to cooperate with the Government of Nepal and commit maximum investment in the journey of economic prosperity and national reconstruction,” IPPAN said.
