KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 18
The experts' group formed by the government to study on the feasibility of building an international airport in Nijgadh of Bara district has submitted its study report to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today.
Convenor of the experts' group Birendra Bahadur Deuja handed the report to the PM in the presence of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jeevan Ram Shrestha, amidst a programme at the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar this morning.
The experts' group was formed as per a decision made by the government on August 11 in pursuant to a mandamus order of the Supreme Court.
The experts' group has concluded that an international airport with full-capacity is needed to handle the increasing air traffic for the long-term development and prosperity of Nepal.
As per the report, around 4,000 hectares area within approximately 9,000 hectares area lying between the Pasaha River and the Bakaiya River adjoining the East-West highway and the Kathmandu-Tarai Express Way would be an appropriate location for the full-capacity international airport.
The experts' group has recommended to fully abandoning the concept of 'airport city' keeping in mind the Supreme Court's order to reduce the cutting of trees and environmental damage.
It has also recommended to declare around 9,000 hectares as the protected zone and to use only about 4,000 hectares area for the airport, the construction of which is to be carried out in different phases.
