Kathmandu — In anticipation of the monsoon season, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has announced a complete ban on all road and footpath excavation within its jurisdiction for a period of three months.
According to the city’s Department of Public Construction, no government or private entity will be granted permission to dig roads or footpaths from June 15 to September 16, 2025 (corresponding to Nepali calendar: Asar 1 to the end of Bhadra, 2082). The measure aims to ensure public safety and prevent disruption to transportation during the rainy season.
The decision follows concerns over waterlogging, muddy roads, and increased risks of traffic congestion and accidents due to open or incomplete excavation sites during monsoon months. KMC stated that repair work becomes more challenging in wet conditions and often leads to poor construction quality when done during heavy rainfall.
The department clarified through an official notice, “From Asar 1 to the end of Bhadra, no permission or approval will be granted for digging public roads, alleys, or footpaths within the Kathmandu Metropolitan area.”
Utilities and Agencies Affected; Ongoing Work Exempted
This restriction will directly impact utility service providers such as water supply, sewage, electricity, telecommunications, and internet companies, in addition to public and private construction bodies involved in road-related works.
The city authority emphasized that already approved or ongoing works will not be halted, but no new digging or excavation will be permitted during this period. All concerned agencies have been urged to comply with the directive and avoid initiating new construction that involves excavation.
In previous years, poor coordination between government bodies and service providers has led to frequent, unregulated road digging, leaving Kathmandu’s roads in disarray. During the monsoon, such practices have worsened traffic, caused accidents, and damaged public infrastructure. KMC’s preemptive step this year is expected to significantly ease traffic flow and enhance public safety.
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s seasonal ban is aimed at improving urban mobility and ensuring the safety of pedestrians and vehicles during the challenging monsoon months.
