Pokhara, April 13 Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today laid the foundation stone of Pokhara Regional International Airport at Chhinedanda of Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City. Oli was accompanied by UML leader Jhalanath Khanal, UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC General Secretary Sashank Koirala, Deputy Prime Ministers duo Kamal Thapa and Bijay Kumar Gachhadar. Premier Oli had laid the stone for the airport as a Vedic mantra was being recited. Before the function, rallies from four places were taken out by various business organisations, and civil society. The airport is to be built under engineering, procurement and construction methodology. Nepal government had awarded the contract for the airport construction to China’s CAMC Company 17 months ago. Nepal had singed a loan agreement with China for the airport during PM Oli’s recent China visit. China’s Export Import Axiom Bank has pledged to provide loan for the airport. The regional international airport will be constructed on 3106 ropani land appropriated in ward Nos 14, 15 and 18 in the sub metropolitan city. While laying the foundation stone for the airport, Oli said that airport construction would open the doors of development in province no 4. He pledged to offer all possible assistance to the company for construction of the airport . Oli claimed that the construction would be over four years ahead of the set deadline. He said that he had initiated work not to set the record but to complete it. CAMS Chairman Luo Yan said that preliminary design work of the airport was under way. She expressed confidence that the work would be completed within the set timeframe. Yan thanked Nepal government for placing trust in her company for the airport construction. “The airport holds great significance for Pokhara and entire Nepal,” Yan said. Airport Construction High Level Assistance Committee Coordinator Rabindra Adhikary said that work on the construction of airport had started after a lot of struggle and sacrifice. Adhikary held that the airport would multiply the number of tourists visiting the Lake City. Boeing 757 and Airbus 320 can land at the airport. Additional 629 ropani land was appropriated for the airport lately. Of the total estimated cost of Rs 21 billion for airport construction, Axiom Bank will foot 75 per cent budget at 2 per cent interest rate, while the Chinese government will provide 25 per cent interest free loan. The interest on the loan will start after the airport comes into operation.