Kathmandu, Jan 3 : The story of New Road’s ‘Umbrella Street’, which used to give a glimpse of Europe, is comparable  to that of a shooting star – bright but short lived.   There are umbrellas no more.  Sankata club secretary Aashish Man Singh said, “Increment in the number of people visiting ‘Umbrella Street’ have created difficulties in the management and for that reason we have started pulling down umbrellas from the Sankata street.”

He added that the increase in the number of people visiting the Sankata street created difficulties in the management system. He argued that problems in the management system were, in fact, created due to the construction of Dharahara. Dharahara’s construction is in the last stage and once the situation is favorable, the ‘Umbrella Street’ will be created once again.

Within 10 days of conception, the plan of  ‘Umbrella Street’ made by some youths sipping tea and gossiping at the chowks  had materialized on December 26. But to ones dismay, it had to be closed within 10 days because of the unnatural congestion that ensued.

At New Road’s ‘Umbrella Street,’ which stretches for about 150 meters, there were 430 umbrellas. The cost was in the range of Rs 3 million. New Road’s Sankata Street went viral within a short time because of the umbrella decorations and the foreign atmosphere it created. The dismantling of ‘Umbrella Street’, which had become a hub for young boys and girls, received uproar on social media. Young people urged on social media to keep the ‘Umbrella Street’ intact.

‘Umbrella Street’, which became famous in a short period of time, has given a big message to those in Nepal who want to do something differently. Local merchants said that even with a small investment, in two weeks, about 8-9 million people came here. The food facilities, drinks, shopping etc could be enjoyed alongside the street and other trades could be carried as well. He said that ‘Umbrella Street’ provided inspiration for those in Nepal who would like to do such kind of innovative businesses.