POKHARA: Province 4 Chief Minister Prithivi Subba Gurung has said that the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport will not conclude in the given deadline.

Briefing a seminar organised by Province 4 Coordination Committee, the Chief Minister said that construction works are moving at a ‘snail’s pace’ leading to a deadline extension of two to three years.

According to Gurung, only nine per cent of the works have concluded since the project initiated, and Exim Bank of China has not been able to supply money by establishing a branch in Nepal.

“Moreover, we have plans to develop Pokhara as a hub for international trade,” Chief Minister Gurung said. “Infrastructures such as fast-track from Korala to Susta, a tunnel-way connecting Pokhara with neighbouring districts, a ring-road around Pokhara and an international conference centre would help us materialise the plan.”