Construction of Nijgadh Intl Airport should not be halted: stakeholders

KATHMANDU: Members of Fast Track, Airport Construction Management and Stakeholders Committee opposed to thwarting construction of Nijgadh International Airport and cited that no excuse whatsoever should delay construction of the project.

Speaking at a press meet in Kathmandu on Thursday, stakeholders also demanded the government to ensure construction of the international airport within 5 to 7 years.

“We, denizens of province 2, do not want to lose this project and no one has the right to impede construction with excuses,” the committee issued a statement, “Moreover, we are committed to leave no stones upturned when coordinating with the project management in local level.”

Stressing on Nepal’s need to enhance connectivity with international airspace network, Triratna Manandhar former Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said, “Nijgadh Airport will aide Nepal to establish its air routes in international scale.”

Moreover, Manandhar also downplayed the recent report of need to deforest 2.4 million trees for airport construction that sparked negative sentiments towards construction, as baseless.

Likewise, Project Chief Om Sharma highlighted construction progress  and informed that authorities are distributing land compensation to affected locals and studying possibilities of settlement relocation.