Lalitpur Metropolitan City has started a major plan to make Patan Durbar Square a vehicle-free zone. The new campaign, called ‘Patan Paila Pailai’ (meaning ‘Patan Step by Step’). It aims to reduce traffic, protect the heritage structures, and make the narrow street safer for pedestrians, including tourists. The city is applying the rules in phases, with trial restrictions already underway.
The first phase focuses on narrow heritage lanes surrounding the Square, including Mamadu Galli; the stretch from Gaurishankar Temple to Olkhu Ganesh Temple; the route from Bhimsensthan Temple to Swotha Narayan Temple; and the corridor linking Swotha Chowk to Kyalkhu Chowk.