Construction of new airport commences in PokharaNepalnews, 9-Dec-09
Finally, construction works of a regional international airport in Pokhara, a major tourist hub of the country, have commenced.
The preliminary phase of the construction saw the light of the day after Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarat Singh Bhandari himself steered dozer and excavator to level the land acquired for the purpose of building international airport.
Government had acquired 3,106 ropanis of land in the Chhinedanda area of Pokhara sub-metropolitan some 34 years back to build a new airport. Due to lack of budget, political instability and other land-related hassles, the plan of constructing new airport had long been confined to shelf.
Earlier, efforts to build a new airport in the city under the concept of BOOT (Build-Own-Operate- Transfer) had also faced a debacle.
This time, the plan of construction new airport is being executed with the financial assistance extended by the Chinese government. Processes like preliminary survey and grading are estimated to cost around Rs 1.5 million. According to the minister, out of US $ 200 million extended by China for financing the Upper Trishuli Hydropower, some US $ 88 million will be mobilized for constructing the airport and Lumbini-Pokhara Fact Track.
The government has estimated some Rs 13 billion in order to accomplish the construction of new airport. The full-fledged construction will begin after the preparation of DPR.
The proposition of building a new regional airport in Pokhara was forwarded as an alternative to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) based in Kathmandu.
Tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara are optimistic that the construction of new airport will help to give a whole new boost to the tourism business of the city.
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