Kathmandu: The government has decided to go with the construction of much-awaited Nijgadh International Airport with top priority. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, said the proposed airport based in Bara district would come into commercial operation within the next five years.
Speaking at a press meet organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) at its headquarters to share progress updates in regard with the physical infrastructure, the Minister said the project was in the priority list of the government. “It is our dream and target project.” Highlighting the essentiality of building the airport at Nijgadh, he promised to implement the project rapidly as he said there was no room for taking a rest for the next five years.
Works of fencing an area measuring 8,000 hectares have been completed and the compensation distribution is going on, it is learnt. According to the CAAN, it has already spent Rs one billion for the compensation distribution purpose. The Investment Board has sought the project’s detailed proposal from the Switzerland-based Zurich International for the project construction.
As said by the Ministry, the construction works will kick off once the government makes clear about its criteria as per the proposal. The Ministry has already sent a letter to the Ministry of Forest and Environment seeking latter’s cooperation for cutting down trees remaining within the area of 1,900 hectares during the first phase of construction.
Assuring of a significant in the sector of domestic aviation sector by the next five years, the Minister said efforts were going to ensure the arrivals of 10 million tourists each year in the future. Minister Bhattarai said that capacity of Tribhuvan International Airport would be expanded within five years, under construction Gautam Buddha International Airport would come into operation within four months and Pokhara Regional International Airport within a year.
He further said that the government has given high priority to connectivity and has paid attention on infrastructure development like air and road transport rail and cruise sheep, the basis of prosperity. Similarly, CAAN Director Adhikari briefed Minister Bhattarai about physical development progress and economic condition of 54 airports of the country.
The CAAN presented the details of the works related to airport infrastructure carried out in two years, action plan for next five years and estimated expenses. He added activities for the expansion and upgrading of regional airports are underway by making a master plan as well as works are underway in a planned manner to bring the airports, which are not in operation, in operation soon. According to the CAAN, a total of Rs 50 billion has already been spent in infrastructure development of international airport and Rs 33 billion in land acquisition in past two year.
