POKHARA: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai observed the under-construction Pokhara Regional International Airport, on Wednesday morning.

Taking stock of the progress in its construction, Tourism Minister Bhattarai said it was important to give out the message that projects of national pride will be prioritised and completed within the stipulated time.

Chief of the airport construction project, Vinesh Munakarmi, informed the Minister that 45 per cent of the construction work has been completed so far. He added that if the work moves forward at the same pace, then the construction of the airport would be completed six months before its deadline.

As per the agreement, the airport construction must be complete by July 10, 2021. Minister Bhattarai has directed the representative of the Chinese contractor company CMC to complete the project within its deadline.

The Tourism Minister, in his visit, also spoke with local stakeholders, district leaders, provincial lawmakers and provincial minister in connection to the airport construction. After taking into account the various problems and challenges in its process, the minister requested all to work in coordination to solve them.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister of Gandaki Province Kiran Gurung stated that road construction should also be emphasised along with airport construction. Locals, on the other hand, shared that there have been problems in irrigation and in receiving compensation in connection to the airport construction.

Construction works of the airport had begun about five years ago in 2071 BS with an estimated investment of Rs 21 billion.