RUPANDEHI: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Bhattarai, has said that the government has put the development of Lumbini and Gautam Buddha International Airport at top priority.

Inspecting the under construction Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa of Rupandehi on Thursday, Minister Bhattarai said that activities are underway with top priority as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has given a special concern for the construction of Lumbini International Airport and development of Lumbini.

He claimed that the construction work of the airport would be completed within December. Saying there would not be any delay in construction activities of the airport in any pretext, the Tourism Minister said that the local level should provide construction materials required for the airport.

He further said that he has directed the bodies concerned to complete the construction work of the airport before 2020 as Nepal is going to celebrate Visit Nepal Year in 2020.

Minister Bhattarai underscored the need for making Lumbini beautiful to attract tourists.