Chitwan, September 4 

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal today stressed the need to act swiftly in every sector of life to prevent pessimism among the public. Dahal warned that public impatience could escalate to a dangerous level. 

Speaking at an interaction organised on Bharatpur airport expansion and improvement in Bharatpur Metropolis, Dahal said that people’s pessimism had reached dangerous level due to failure to bring swift development in the country. “Thus, we have to work hard to send out the message that Nepal has entered the era of development and construction,” he added. 

Dahal clarified the country could not bear further anarchy and uncertainty.  Dahal said time had come to carry out development work to provide youths with jobs and opportunities. He added that the government wanted to develop Chitwan as a model district. He, however, accused some forces of trying to spread rumours with the aim of obstructing development. 

Dahal opined that Bharatpur airport should be developed as an alternative to Tribhuvan International Airport. He also pledged to take immediate initiatives to improve and upgrade Bharatpur airport. 

At the programme, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said that his ministry was watching Bharatpur airport with special attention. “Bharatpur airport is at risk. It has to either be closed down or become safe,” Bhattarai stated, adding, “It cannot go ahead in the same manner”. 

Minister Bhattarai stressed the need to make Bharatpur airport’s terminal building modern and professional. “I have accorded top priority to Bharatpur airport as it holds importance from various perspectives,” he added.  

The minister said the Nepali army would not stand in the way of expanding and improving the airport. While demands are being made to shift the NA barracks to improve the airport, Bhattarai remarked that the NA had always stood by the people of Nepal and contributed immensely to the country’s’ development. 

Bhattarai said his ministry was planning to ban small aircraft from flying to and from TIA and to develop Bharatpur and Manthali in Ramechhap as alternatives. He informed that his ministry would form an-all party committee comprising experts for improvement and expansion of the airport within a week.  

At the programme, Province 3 Chief Minister Dormani Poudel said connectivity was a major priority of the provincial government. “My government has accorded top priority to upgradation of Bharatpur airport as it was in proximity to provincial headquarters Hetauda,” he added.