KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 29
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, has stated that the government has initiated discussions on the possibility of adopting a public-private partnership (PPP) model for the operations of international airports.
According to the Minister, these discussions encompass the operations of Tribhuvan International Airport, the recently constructed Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, and the Pokhara International Airport.
He shared this information during a meeting of the Delegated Management and Government Assurance Committee under the National Assembly at Singha Durbar on Friday. Additionally, he informed the meeting that efforts are underway to enhance the effectiveness of commercial flights from international airports.
The Minister expressed concern about the underutilization of newly built international airports and mentioned that 22 domestic airports have already been transformed into pasture lands.
He pointed out that despite the extension of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to its full capacity, it will be unable to handle increasing traffic flows in the coming years. Consequently, the Minister argued for the need to expedite the construction of Nijgadh airport.
Similarly, lawmakers Nar Bahadur Bista, Gomadevi Timilsina, and Narapati Luhar demanded that the government systematize the Narayanhiti Durbar Museum and objects of archaeological importance.
