Budget 2026/27: Govt to run Pokhara and Gautam Buddha Int'l Airports in partnership with private sector

Kathmandu, May 29: The government has forwarded a plan to run two regional international airports- Pokhara and the Gautam Buddha- in partnership with the private sector.

In the budget announcement for the fiscal year, 2083/84 in joint meeting of the federal parliaments on Friday, Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle said the both the regional international airports- Pokhara and of Gautam Buddha- would be run in full capacity by forging partnership with private sector.

For the upgrading of the Tribhuvan International Airport, government has allocated Rs 1.53 billion. A modality of the Nijgadh International Airport would be prepared within six months, while night flight would be conducted at Bharatpur Airport after its expansion.

The list of airports for upgrading is- Surkhet, Talcha and Tarigaon. 

Janakpur city would be branded as a 'wedding destination' and the route for circumambulation of Ramajanaki would be upgraded. 

Broader infrastructures development would be forwarded in the historic and archaeological sites like Tilaurakot, Devdaha, Kapilvastu and Ramgram. For it, Rs 83 million has been allocated.

Minister Dr Wagle further informed that government would advance process to enlist Tilaurakot of Kapilvastu, Janakpurdham of Dhanusha and Gokarneshwor of Kathmandu in the World Heritage Site.

The Minister further stated that a special project would be launched for the conservation of historical Buddhist monasteries of over 200-years old located in hilly and mountainous districts like Mustang and Manang.

A province tourism corridor 'danfe route' will be enforced by incorporating Khaptad, Badimalika, Rara and Swargadwari areas. 

The unnamed peaks of over 6,000 metres would be named and new trekking routes developed in the upper hilly region. 

As per budget speech, the Indigenous Nationalities' Museum of Kirtipur would be expanded; new homestays run in Dalit settlements of Madhes, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces in order to promote original skills and arts of Dalit people.

The government is running high altitude sickness service, and has aimed at linking Ayurved and Yog to health tourism. 

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has been allocated Rs 10.27 billion. (RSS)