KATHMANDU, Nov 28: Keeping in view the movement of Very Very Important Persons (VVIPs) during the Asia Pacific Summit 2018 which begins in Kathmandu this weekend, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Office (MTPO) has decided to bring the odd-even rule for vehicular movement in force in the Valley from November 30 to December 3.
According to the odd-even rule, vehicles with odd number plates will be allowed to run in the streets of the Valley on odd-numbered dates while vehicles with even number plates will be allowed to run on even-numbered dates.
“We have decided to implement the odd-even rule to manage traffic during the summit,” Inspector Jitesh Dahal of MTPO said, adding, “According to the rule, odd-numbered vehicles can be used on the Valley roads on November 29, December 1 and December 3 while the even numbered vehicles will be allowed to run on November 30 and December 2.”
Commuters bear the brunt of odd-even vehicle rule
VVIPs including the head of states and governments of seven nations and delegates from the government of 45 nations will start arriving in Nepal from November 29 to attend the summit. The odd-even rule was in place also during the BIMSTEC Summit held recently in the capital.
The rule will not affect the movement of emergency vehicles like ambulance, water supply tankers, oil tankers, milk supply vehicles, and vehicles belonging to the media.
150 police personnel added for traffic management
The MTPO is set to add 150 police personnel from outside the Valley to its workforce of 1500 personnel for the effective management of vehicular movement during the Asia Pacific Summit 2018.
“An additional 150 police personnel arrived in the Valley on Tuesday,” Inspector Dahal said.
“They have even received a briefing on the code of conduct to follow for the effective management of vehicular movement during the summit.”
Dahal also informed that the MTPO is currently finalizing the routes for the VVIP motorcades during the summit.
“The routes will cover their journey from the airport to their respective hotels and from their hotels to the summit venue in Hyatt Regency,” he said.
