Kathmandu, December 26 : Nowadays, one of the streets in New Road of Kathmandu gives a glimpse of Europe. A brainchild of young Nepalis who have returned from Europe, the Sankata street has become a charming destination for the shoppers and visitors alike.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected  the Nepali economy, as it did to other countries of the world, bringing all tradings and businesses to standstill. The New Road area, the major business hub of Kathmandu, became deserted. The merchants of the New Road area, who didn’t use to have free time earlier, waited for the rare customers, sipping tea and gossiping at the chowks.

When tired of waiting for the turmoil to end, they started planing to restore New Road’s business to its former glory; the thought only added sweetness to their tea. The concept of ‘Umbrella Street’ brewed in one to their tea talks. The secretary of Sankata Club shared what he saw while going to Europe – the umbrella street. They raised fund immediately  and started work to make Umbrella Street a reality.

On Saturday (today), thousands of people were seen taking photos and making TikTok on New Road’s Umbrella Street. New Road has now become a destination not only for shopping and businesses but also for leisure and merriment, thanks to ‘Umbrella Street’.

Some photos taken by DCnepal’s Phurpa Sherpa: