POKHARA, May 21 : Business operators in Pokhara’s Lakeside tourist area have urged authorities to restrict late-night operations, saying rising illegal activities and disorder have made 24-hour business operations unmanageable.
A delegation of hotel and tourism entrepreneurs submitted a memorandum to the Kaski District Administration Office on Friday, demanding that all business activities be closed after 2 AM.
On October 8, 2023, the Pokhara High Court issued an interim order allowing Lakeside-area businesses to operate 24 hours a day, directing authorities not to obstruct lawful business operations in the tourist hub. The order came after a petition was filed challenging the implementation of the Home Administration Reform Action Plan 2017, which envisioned 24-hour operation in major tourist areas such as Thamel, Durbar Marg, and Lakeside, with adequate security arrangements.
Following the court order, tourism businesses began promoting Lakeside as a 24-hour destination, and some establishments extended late-night operations accordingly.
Local governments, including chief ministers of Gandaki Province, had also encouraged round-the-clock operations in the area, instructing security agencies to ensure proper arrangements. However, business leaders now say the practice has created more problems than benefits.
According to entrepreneurs, the 24-hour branding has led tourists to expect round-the-clock services, resulting in late-night arrivals, irregular hotel check-ins, and disputes over food and services during midnight hours. Nightclubs and discotheques have also contributed to noise, disturbances, and disorderly conduct, they said.
Want to party till dawn? Lakeside is the place!
Hotel Association Pokhara president Laxman Subedi said the majority of businesses have been negatively affected by the policy.
“We had already informed the administration about these issues shortly after the 24-hour permission was granted. Since repeated complaints were ignored, we submitted a formal memorandum on Friday,” he said.
He said that the 24-hour branding has created confusion among tourists and harmed the tourism environment.
“Hotels remain open for guests with bookings at any time, but that does not mean people should roam around and create disturbances,” Subedi said. “If tourists arrive late, that is not a problem, but late-night drinking and disruptive behavior after returning from outings has become an issue.”
He said most hotels continue normal services for checked-in guests, but nightlife activities have created difficulties for neighboring residents and businesses.
“Businesses have operated without discipline, and that has affected tourists as well,” he said. “Alcohol-related fights and disturbances at night have increased, affecting sleep for visitors.”
He further said that such unrestricted nightlife is harming tourism itself.
Hotel Association central member Bharat Raj Parajuli said they have requested the administration to regulate operating hours.
“We have requested that all businesses close after 2 AM. Lakeside does not need to operate 24 hours,” he said. “Illegal activities such as drug use and prostitution have increased during nighttime operations.”
He said that although a 42-point code of conduct was drafted in coordination with the district administration in 2023, it has not been properly implemented.
“Even though monitoring was promised, it was not done. Without proper infrastructure, the system was enforced forcefully, and businesses have not benefited,” he said.
Parajuli also said that noise pollution from motorcycles at night has disturbed residents, children, elderly people, and tourists.
Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC) chairperson Taranath Pahari also said the administration has been urged to revise operating hours.
“Our demand is that businesses should start closing after 1 AM and be fully shut by 2 AM,” he said. “If this is not implemented, Lakeside will become increasingly unsafe.”
He said that illegal and unethical activities have increased in the area, and relying solely on the court’s interim order has contributed to disorder in Lakeside’s tourism environment.
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