KATHMANDU: The experts of the team formed to study and submit the report for the construction of a full capacity international airport in Nijgadh, Simara has concluded that the proposed area is suitable for the construction of the airport.

In the presence of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha, expert group coordinator Birendra Bahadur Deuja handed over the study report to Prime Minister Deuba at a program held at Prime Minister’s residence Baluwatar on Sunday morning.

Following the Supreme Court (SC) directions to form an expert’s team to study and submit the report about the ecological and other impacts of the construction of Nijgadh airport, the government had assigned Deuja-led expert’s team the task on August 11.

The expert team has concluded that an international airport with full capacity to handle the growing air traffic is necessary for Nepal’s long-term development and economic prosperity.

According to the report, a suitable location for a full capacity international airport is an area of ​​about 4,000 hectares within an area of ​​about 9,000 hectares, which is connected with the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Tract and the East-West Highway, between the Pasaha River and Bakraia River.

Keeping in mind the SC order to reduce the damage to the forest and wildlife while executing new development or construction plans, the study suggested to drop the concept of airport city in the area.

The report recalled that the Constitution of Nepal has given the government a constitutional obligation to make necessary legal arrangements for a proper balance between the environment and development in the work related to the country’s development, as there are international laws and precedent principles propounded by the Supreme Court that the government can balance and manage the environment and development.

According to the report of the expert group, the necessary land for the construction of a full capacity international airport should be obtained and the affected stakeholders should be compensated and rehabilitated according to the law.

After the construction and operation of a full-capacity international airport, the proposed Himalaya-2 route (Kathmandu-Guwahati-Kunming) and L-626 (Kathmandu-Mahendranagar Delhi) can be made two-way by flying over Nepal’s skies, and from this, Europe, the Middle East, East Asia Pacific region.

According to the report, the distance, time and fuel consumption of two-way international flights to the countries will be reduced significantly and carbon emissions will be reduced due to fuel savings.

Citing that financial expenses are likely to increase soon and other complications might grow as well, the report suggested to take the airport construction project ahead as early as possible.

Receiving the report, Prime Minister Deuba said that the construction of the airport should not be delayed. The Prime Minister thanked the expert group for studying and submitting the report on time.

The expert team formed under the coordination of Aviation infrastructure expert Birendra Bahadur Deuja had economist Rameshwar Khanal, development planning expert Dr. Suryaraj Acharya, urban development expert Prof. Dr. Sangita Singh, wildlife and environment expert Prof. Dr. Prem Bahadur Budha, plant and environment expert Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Ghimire, Sociologist. Dr Lachhi Singh, Senior Pilot Krishna Bikram Poudel, Senior Advocate Dr. Chandrakant Gyawali and air route expert Mahesh Kumar Basnet as its members.