Kathmandu. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said that the modalities of construction and operation of Nijgadh International Airport of national pride would be finalized. In today’s meeting of the National Assembly, Federalism Empowerment and National Concern Committee, he pointed out the need to give priority to the construction of the airport.

“Nijgadh is a project of national pride, but there is still confusion, in this year’s budget speech, we have said that the modalities of its construction and operation will be finalized.

Admitting that Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports could not operate at full capacity due to lack of passengers rather than air routes, Minister Pandey clarified that various schemes have been put forward to increase the number of passengers in these airports. “Some airlines have said that they are losing crores of rupees due to lack of number of passengers,” he said, adding, “Labour clearance, manpower companies, health check-ups and other facilities should be provided to the area to increase the number of passengers.” ’

Stating that six aircraft of Nepal Airlines are in operation, Minister Pandey said that instructions have been given to work in such a way that there is no disruption in the operation in the coming days. Preparations are underway to operate small aircraft in the hilly districts in collaboration with the state government, he added.

Stating that preparations have been made to declare the coming decade as the decade of tourism priority, Minister Pandey said that the tourism dialogue program has been organized keeping the federal ministries and bodies, all the three levels of government and the private sector together. Stating that he has given priority to policy and legal reforms, he said various schemes have been put forward to control corruption and promote good governance.

Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Hari Prasad Mainali, said efforts were being made to operate regular international flights from Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports.

During the discussion, the lawmakers suggested that the Ministry and The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) should formulate a plan to finalize the modalities of construction and operation of Nijgadh International Airport, plan regular international flights from Pokhara and Bhairahawa international airports.