Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned plastic bags and products below 40 microns in the metropolis.
Issuing a public notice on Thursday, the KMC officially banned the use, storage, and sale of plastic bags and products thinner than 40 microns, including plastic flower garlands. This measure, effective from July 17, aims to curb the detrimental environmental impact caused by plastic usage. The KMC strongly encouraged the use of paper or cloth bags as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.
To enforce the ban effectively, the KMC emphasised that its monitoring team would take stringent action against any individuals or businesses found in violation of the notice, acting in accordance with the KMC Environment and Natural Resources Protection Act of 2020.
Meanwhile, in order to reduce parking problems and bring uniformity in parking ticketing, the KMC published another public notice related to the parking areas and ticketing.
The KMC has asked all public and private institutions working in the parking areas to work according to the Economic Act 2023 released by the metropolis.
As of Appendix 11 (A), the public parking spaces in the metropolis have been categorised into two — Area 1 and Area 2. Area 1 includes prominent city locations such as New Road, Dharmapath, Kanthipath, Durbar Marga, and core city areas like Tripureshwor, Ratnapark, Bhotahiti, Keshar Mahal, and Lainchaur.
All other locations fall under Area 2. And remaining locations are included in Area 2. For two-wheelers, the parking charges are set at Rs. 15 per half an hour and Rs. 25 per hour in Area 1 and Rs. 15 per hour in Area 2. Similarly, for four-wheelers will be charged Rs. 50 per half an hour and Rs. 80 per hour in Area 1 and Rs. 40 per hour and Rs. 100 for more than that in Area 2.
Meanwhile, private institutions providing parking services on their property must obtain permission from the KMC and abide by the price structure mentioned in Appendix 11 (B). They may charge two-wheelers at a rate of Rs. 15 per half an hour, Rs. 25 per hour with an additional Rs. 5 for every 15 minutes after that.
