PM lays foundation stone for Pokhara Int’l Airport; terms it a strong base for western region’s development

Pokhara / April 13: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the beginning of the construction of Pokhara international airport has created a strong foundation for the development of the region.

PM Oli made such remark while laying the foundation stone for the construction of the international airport at Chhinedanda of the Pokhara Valley Wednesday. He expressed confidence that the construction of the airport would be accomplished by July 2020.

“Pokhara is rich in natural beauty which lures foreign tourists,” he said, adding that the construction of the international airport would unlock development potential not only in Pokhara but in the entire province no 4. He further said all political parties were univocal on accelerating development in the country. “Government was ready to launch big hydropower projects with the investment from all Nepalis,” he added.

On a different note, PM Oli said the forthcoming budget would bring new policy and programmes.

On the occasion, Chairman of the UCPN (Maoist) and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said with the laying of the foundation stone of the international airport in Pokhara, the development campaign has begun in the country. He hoped that a survey would be conducted freely with the assistance of China for the construction of Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini railway.

Expressing the view that a new understanding has been reached among major political parties to expedite the development activities in a new process, he pointed out the need of national unity for implementation of constitution and reconstruction activities.

Similarly, CPN (UML) senior leader and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal mentioned that the entire Pokhara has entered into new era.

Claiming that number of tourists visiting Pokhara would be increased by 10 times after the construction of the Pokhara international airport, Khanal expressed the belief that it would bring significant change in people’s lives too.

Moreover, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Planning and Transport Management, Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, said the start of the construction of Pokhara international airport has unlocked the potentials of development of all areas—Tarai, hills and mountain.

The DPM said, “All should stand together for the development in all sectors.” Pointing out the need of involvement in national welfare after rising above partisan and personal interest, he said unity among Tarai, hills and mountain people was essential.

Likewise, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Local Development, Kamal Thapa, said the construction of the airport would be completed in the slated time.

Stating that the Nepali people have expected political stability and development, Nepali Congress General Secretary Shashanka Koirala said no one should do politics in development works.

He further said the NC was always ready to accelerate development activities across the country.

At the same programme, Minister for Finance Bishnu Poudel was of the opinion that with the foundation stone laid for the construction of the Pokhara international airport, the promotion of Pokhara, and development of its adjacent areas have already started.

Underscoring the need for the collective efforts from the political parties for the development of the country, Minister Poudel expressed his confidence that the New Year would be a catalyst in ushering the country towards economic prosperity and development.

On the occasion, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel shared the government aims to welcome a total of 2.6 million tourists in the country next five years.

Stating that the construction of the international airport in Nijgadh could be initiated with the domestic capital, he stated that the cooperation from the local Madheshi community was a must for the same.

Recalling the hunger-strike staged for over hundred days to prompt the construction of the Pokhara international airport, Rabindra Adhikari, Coordinator of the Pokhara Airport Construction High-level Cooperation Committee and Chairperson of the Development Committee under the Legislature-Parliament, believed the locals and political parties will cooperate in expediting the construction.

Also speaking in the programme, Sanjiv Gautam, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, shared that the airport was going to be built at the estimated cost of Rs 22 billion to be provided by the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank).

The airport, which will be the second international airport to be built under the Chinese support, will be built in next four years as per the national master plan, it was shared.

China CMC Engineering Company’s Chairman Lau Yun said that the construction of the Pokhara regional international airport could be carried out on time provided one and all extended cooperation for the same. RSS