Pokhara, February 2:

Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat today assured of adequate compensation to those affected by the construction of an airport here.

He said this while speaking to the representatives of the seven political parties.

Dr Mahat said that compensation for only 57 ropanis of land is yet to be paid from the 3,100 ropanis of land acquired 33 years ago for construction of the airport.

Former owners of the 57 ropanis of land have been demanding compensation at the existing market price, while the land was acquired 33 years ago, when the price was far

less than that of the present day. This issue is delaying construction of the airport, he said.

A delegation of the district’s seven parties’ leaders met Dr Mahat this morning to press for the construction of the airport.