Kathmandu. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arju Rana Deuba said she would take all possible initiatives for direct flights to Nepalgunj and New Delhi of India.

She expressed her commitment to leaders of major political parties of Banke, lawmakers from Banke and Bardiya representing in the federal parliament, industrialists, representatives of civil society and other stakeholders who came to the ministry today urging them to take initiative for nepalgunj-New Delhi flight.

Minister Rana said, “I have already taken initiative for this flight. We have given priority to the agenda of Nepalgunj-Delhi flight. I will be working for this flight as this flight will mutually benefit Nepal and India and the more we can increase interconnection, the more nepal will benefit. ’

He said that tourism, transit, industry, trade and public relations would increase only if connectivity between Nepal and India is increased and this would benefit both the sides. Stating that the flight would significantly contribute to the economy of western Nepal and change the face of the region, Minister Rana said he would take serious steps for nepalgunj-Delhi flight as necessary tourism infrastructures including hotels have been built in Nepalgunj as well.

An all-party team comprising industrialists and political parties from Banke and Bardiya called on Minister Dr Rana today and urged him to include this issue as a priority agenda during prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India.

On the occasion, they said that direct flights from Nepalgunj to New Delhi were essential to establish Nepalgunj as ‘Mansarovar Gateway’ and it would directly benefit the residents of about 25 districts of Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Lumbini provinces. They informed that the airport can serve 600 passengers per hour and all the necessary infrastructure for this flight has been built.