Kathmandu. Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey has said that Nepal would raise the issue of expansion of air route to two more sides during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Kp Sharma Oli to India.

Responding to the queries raised by the lawmakers in today’s meeting, he said discussions would be held with the Indian government on the issue of additional air routes to be obtained by Nepal. Tourism Minister Pandey said, “Discussions will be held on the route we have to get. At present, only flights are operating from Simara. The Tumlingtar route is used for those going to China, so we will raise the issue of air route expansion with importance. ’

Tourism Minister Pandey said that Nepal has been repeatedly requesting the Indian side to expand more air routes, but positive results have not been achieved. He said the government has given various concessions and concessions for effective operation of Bhairahawa International Airport and Pokhara Regional International Airport. According to him, the Council of Ministers has taken the direction of making both the airports operational by passing the action plan.

Minister Pandey said that visa center, immigration office, establishment of labor office, ensuring necessary offices related to quarantine and health check-up, attracting manpower companies and the government has provided facilities like fuel for two years at subsidized rates and exemption in ticket tax. He expressed commitment that an environment would be created for those going abroad for labour and returning to Nepal to fly and land from Bhairahawa or Pokhara airports.

Tourism Minister Pandey stressed the need of establishing Bhairahawa Airport as an attraction for Buddhists across the world. He said regular air services were facing problems due to lack of twin otter aircraft flying in mountainous and hilly districts.

Minister Pandey expressed the belief that the service would be made effective by adding the number of twin otter aircraft for provincial flights in coordination and collaboration with the provinces. “The government will provide services by increasing the number of small aircraft and we will bring a policy to encourage the private sector in this regard,” he said. The government plans to upgrade Surkhet Airport as a regional international airport, he added.