Bharatpur airport to be developed as alternative domestic airport

CHITWAN: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, has said that Bharatpur airport would be developed as alternative domestic airport outside of Kathmandu.

Talking to media persons at Bharatpur airport today, Minister Bhattarai shared that night flights would be operated at Bharatpur airport. The runway would be expanded and the terminal building would be made well-equipped.

He further said that activities would be forwarded in order to expand the Bharatpur airport task soon, saying the preparation was on to upgrade airports across the nation.

The Tourism Minister said that although some problems have surfaced due to Nepal Army’s barrack and horse breeding center, problems would be resolved within a few days.

He said, “Problems will be resolved by holding a joint meeting among Chief of Army Staff, former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and stakeholders of the district within the next 10 days.”

Priority would be given to airport expansion activities in the first phase to bring big aircraft in the airport, added Minister Bhattarai. Saying government’s target to bring in two million tourists in Visit Nepal Year 2020 would be fulfilled, the Tourism Minister said different activities like infrastructure development as well as publicity in foreign countries are underway to make Visit Nepal Year 2020 a success.

On a different note, Minister Bhattarai said that private aircraft companies should not make lingering to implement 50 percent discount on airfare to senior citizens above 70 years, stressed that respecting senior citizens was the responsibility of all including state and private sector.

He said he has expected that aircraft companies themselves would announce such scheme under social responsibility and it would be implemented by holding discussion with all.

Minister Bhattarai clarified that airfare would be revised soon and added that activities are underway with significant agenda of upgrading Nepal Airlines.

On the occasion, Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Renu Dahal, and Chief of Bharatpur Airport, Pawan Kumar Gauam, briefed about the situation of Bharatpur airport.