Kathmandu, August 6
Members of the parliamentary International Relations Committee have suggested that newly appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai withdraw the government plan to construct a domestic airport in Kavre district, around 30 kilometres east of Kathmandu.
They argue that their studies have found the proposed construction sites inappropriate for the project whereas an airport so close to Kathmandu is not necessary. However, the government has been continuously allocating the budget to the project under the influence of Communications Minister Gokul Baskota, who wants to impress his voters by constructing the airport in his constituency, according to them.
“Don’t approve plans for airport wherever people demand on the basis of their access and power,” committee member and former prime minister told Bhattarai in a recent meeting, “Please study the issues on your own independently and decide an investment whenever necessary.”
Likewise, Nepali Congress lawmaker Divya Mani Rajbhandari said it was sad that the government allocated the budget despite the committee’s objection to the project.
“If you have excessive money, use it in upgrading airports of remote places,” he said.
