On the side

All she asks for is some space to do her business properly. But she has been feeling hopeless for some time and any hope that the local authorities or the government will intervene to improve the quality of life for her family is fading away.

After the city imposed a ban on street businesses in an attempt to improve pedestrian space and reduce congestion, street vendors have seen a sharp drop in their earnings. Most of them now have to sell their goods either early at the crack of dawn before the municipal police become active or in the evening, fearing that their goods will be confiscated.

Lal Babu Sah, a fruit seller, earns half of what he used to. He supports his family of four as the sole breadwinner and as a street vendor, he must constantly dodge the police to make ends meet.

Despite the difficult position he is in, Sah still believes that Balendra Shah, Kathmandu's mayor, has done good.

"The city is cleaner than it used to be, and he's taking measures that contribute to the development of the country," Sah said. "We just hope his development measures will also help us poor people."