KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation is drafting an act including the provision of life imprisonment for those involved in hijacking a plane.

The Ministry is currently giving final shape to the Bill designed to integrate legislations relating to civil aviation with the objective of making the aviation sector more organised and safe.

According to the present draft, anyone found guilty of flying illegally in the Nepali territory would be imprisoned for one to three years.

The new bill is being introduced in accordance with the new federal structure adopted by the state and as per the directives of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, informed Joint-Secretary at the Ministry Ghanashyam Upadhyaya.

The new Bill also proposes permission to private companies to construct, develop and operate airports following approval by the government.

The final draft has been uploaded to the Ministry's website for comments and feedback.