School teachers from across Nepal have continued their peaceful protest in the Maitighar-New Baneshwor area for the 20th straight day. The demonstration, although calm, has led to serious traffic problems in the Kathmandu Valley. Commuters are facing route diversions, heavy traffic jams, and long delays, especially during the morning and evening rush hours.
The ongoing protest is affecting thousands of people daily, including office workers, students, and business owners. Despite several rounds of talks between the government and teacher representatives, no final agreement has been reached yet.
Traffic Chaos Hits Daily Life in Kathmandu
The protest is centered in one of the busiest parts of the city. As a result, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has had to divert vehicles to manage the situation. This has created long lines of traffic on alternate routes, adding further strain to the already congested roads.
Superintendent of Police Deepak Giri, spokesperson for the traffic office, confirmed, “We are forced to divert traffic due to the protest, although we know this causes inconvenience for the public.”
Many commuters are frustrated with the daily delays. Ram Prasad Dahal, a 35-year-old resident of Lokanthali, Bhaktapur, said, “The protest has disturbed my daily routine. It takes me much longer to get to the office now.”
Similarly, Mina Lama, 28, from Old Baneshwor, shared her concern. “The teachers have every right to protest, but they should also think about the people who have to travel every day,” she said. As the protests show no signs of stopping, commuters like Ram and Mina are left hoping for a swift resolution to ease the ongoing disruption.
Teachers Determined to Continue Protest
The Confederation of Nepalese Teachers (CNT), which is leading the protest, has made it clear that they will continue until their demands are met. Teachers across Nepal have expressed frustration over what they consider inadequate compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
Laxmi Kishor Subedi, Chair of the CNT, said, “Although we’ve had unofficial talks with the Ministry, no solid progress has been made. We are ready to extend the protest by a few more days if needed.”
The protest has drawn participation from teachers representing all 77 districts and 753 local levels in Nepal. Their resolve to continue until their demands are met highlights the growing dissatisfaction with the education system’s current state.
Ongoing Talks but No Breakthrough Yet
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the teachers’ group have held several meetings. However, the issue remains unsolved. The teachers have expressed their concerns about long-standing issues, while the government has proposed measures to address them in phases.
Shiva Kumar Sapkota, spokesperson for the Ministry, said, “We are making efforts to address the teachers’ concerns as a package solution, and discussions are ongoing.”
Despite this, both sides have failed to reach a final decision, prolonging the protests and public hardship. As frustration mounts, it’s becoming increasingly clear that a lasting solution is needed to prevent further disruptions.
Growing Public Frustration
The protest, while peaceful, has led to rising public dissatisfaction. Residents, daily commuters, and business owners are calling for a quick resolution to end the disruptions. Kathmandu’s already challenging traffic conditions have been made worse by these ongoing protests.
According to local reports, delays of up to an hour or more have become common during peak hours in areas around Maitighar and New Baneshwor. Business owners in the area are also feeling the impact, with fewer customers able to reach their shops during the day. Schools and offices are also seeing interruptions, as staff and students struggle to navigate the increasingly congested routes.
The prolonged traffic hassle is also affecting public services, schools, and businesses that rely on smooth transport routes. It’s clear that both sides need to come to a resolution sooner rather than later to prevent more widespread disruption.
Urgent Need for Resolution
As the protest continues into its third week, both the government and teachers’ groups face increasing pressure to resolve the matter. While the teachers’ demands remain unfulfilled, the daily struggles of commuters highlight the urgent need for a solution. Many hope that future talks will lead to a concrete agreement that satisfies both the teachers and the public.
