New Road of Kathmandu

New Road (Nepali: नयाँ सडक, Nepal Bhasa: न्हु सडक) is the financial hub and busiest high street of Nepal. It refers to a two lane street in the center of Kathmandu, as well as the surrounding neighborhood. It is one of the busiest marketplaces in the city. Being near the midpoint of the ring road in Kathmandu, as well as the old center of Kathmandu (Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantapur, Kathmandu), it is one of the central locations in the city.

New Road

The road was built during the period of prime ministership Juddha Shamsher Rana after the 1934 earthquake destroyed many buildings in the Kathmandu Valley.[1] It is formally called Juddha Sadak in his honor. The road can also be referred as old Kings Way of Nepal, as the road leads to old royal palace of Royal Families, Kathmandu Durbar Square which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The inhabitants of New Road are mostly Newars.

Boundaries of the road
East: Tundikhel
West: Basantapur
North:Dugambahii, Pyukha, Fasikyeba
South: Pako, Nepal, Khichhapokhari, Tebahaal

After the fall of autocratic Rana regime, it was renamed New Road.

New Road is one of the most frequented marketplace in the whole of Kathmandu. From clothing, jewellery to electronics, you name it you get it at New Road. To understand lifestyle of Kathmandu, New Road must be seen. It is the most densely populated area in the whole of Nepal.

Other than being the busiest downtown marketplace in Kathmandu, it is the place where most demonstrations takes place.

Landmarks

The important places in and around New Road are:

  • A gate at the easternmost part of the road marks the start of road. This gate is called New Road Gate
  • A statue of Juddha Samsher at the westernmost roundabout of the road
  • A small park at the south-western part called Bhugol Park
  • The first damkal-fire squad of Nepal at the South-Western end
  • The head office of Gorkhapatra Sansthan, the first national daily
  • The head office of Nepal Bank Limited, the first commercial bank of Nepal
  • Basantapur Darbar- the old Royal residence of Nepal
  • Bishal Bajar- the first supermarket of Nepal at North Western end
  • Tebahaal parallels almost half of its South Eastern side
  • Ranjana Cinema Hall at its Northern side
  • Dugambahiitole at its Northeast corner

Things to Consider
  • Public Vehicles are not permitted inside New Road. It means you have to either go on foot or by your private vehicle.
  • Restrooms might not be readily available. So, malls can be the solution.

References
  1. Tuladhar, Kamal Ratna (1 June 2012). "New Road, New Road". The Kathmandu Post. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2012.

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