By Our Correspondent
Nepalgunj, Dec. 2: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has said that the government has prioritised the upgrading and expansion of all airports.
“As air connectivity is vital for tourism development, the government has expedited the construction, expansion and upgrading of airports across the country,” he said while inaugurating the newly constructed plane parking area at Nepalgunj Airport on Tuesday.
Minister Bhattarai informed that the process for converting airports with the highest number of flights outside the capital to international airports had begun.
Stating that the parking area could accommodate an Airbus A320, he said, “This proves that the government wants to make this an international airport.”
He further added, “The government has devised, and the cabinet recently passed master plans to develop the airports at Nepalgunj and Biratnagar as hub airports.”
Minister Bhattarai said that the government had paid special attention to the construction and improvement of airports to increase international flights and connect all major cities of the country.
“For this, cooperation and investment from the provincial and local governments are also needed,” he highlighted.
Bhattarai pointed out the importance of Nepalgunj Airport in connecting the hilly and mountainous districts of western Nepal via air routes and clarified that that was why it needed to be upgraded.
Also speaking on the occasion, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Rajan Pokharel said that the government was formulating a new aviation policy which would add a new dimension to air transportation.
Member of the House of Representatives Maheshwor Gahatraj (Athak), member of the Provincial Assembly IP Kharel, Mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City Dr. Dhawal Shumsher Rana and Chief of Nepalgunj Civil Aviation Office Prem Nath Thakur also shared their views on the occasion.