Durbar Marg falls silent: Businesses struggle amid empty streets

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu’s iconic Durbar Marg, once a hub of bustling commerce and a hotspot for high-end hotels, restaurants, and branded retail, has in recent times become noticeably quiet.

Local business owners say the area, which used to see a constant flow of shoppers and tourists throughout the day, now appears almost deserted.

Shopkeepers report that pedestrian traffic has dropped sharply, forcing some to temporarily close their stores when no customers show up.

Although stores have plastered their windows with posters advertising heavy discounts and special offers, these measures have so far failed to revive footfall or boost sales.

The slowdown is especially evident in high-end retail outlets and luxury dining establishments, many of which thrived on a steady stream of local and foreign patrons before.

Business owners attribute the decline to a mix of economic challenges, changing shopping habits, and increased online retail competition.

Interestingly, while commercial activity is sluggish, Durbar Marg has seen a rise in youth activity—particularly TikTok and social media content creators filming videos on the empty streets, taking advantage of the unusual quiet. “We’re witnessing a strange mix of business slump and digital liveliness,” one local shopkeeper remarked.

Economists warn that if the slowdown continues, it could have wider implications for Kathmandu’s retail and hospitality sectors, which have traditionally relied heavily on tourist inflows and weekend shoppers.

Meanwhile, business owners hope that promotional campaigns and improved infrastructure might gradually bring back the vibrancy of this historic commercial corridor.