KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Dr. Arju Rana Deuba said Nepal is trying hard to establish a direct flight route between Nepalgunj and New Delhi, India.
Minister Rana made this commitment on Monday during a meeting at the Ministry with key political leaders from Banke, members of the federal parliament representing Banke and Bardiya districts, business entrepreneurs, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders who had requested her support for the direct Nepalgunj-Delhi flight.
“I have already been working on this flight route and we have prioritized this agenda,” said Minister Rana. “This flight will bring mutual benefits to both Nepal and India. The more we enhance connectivity, the greater the benefits for Nepal, so I am fully committed to advancing this initiative.”
She said increasing connectivity between Nepal and India would boost tourism, transportation, industry, trade, and people-to-people relations, benefiting both countries.
Highlighting the significant economic impact this flight could have on western Nepal, Dr. Rana noted that Nepalgunj is already equipped with essential tourism infrastructure, including hotels, which strengthens the case for establishing the direct route.
The minister’s remarks came following a meeting with a cross-party delegation of business leaders and political representatives from Banke and Bardiya, who urged her to include the Nepalgunj-Delhi flight as a priority agenda item during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India.
The delegation stressed that establishing Nepalgunj as the Mansarovar Gateway requires a direct flight to Delhi, which would directly benefit residents of approximately 25 districts across Sudurpashchim, Karnali, and Lumbini provinces.
They also informed the minister that Nepalgunj Airport is capable of serving 600 passengers per hour and that all necessary infrastructure for the flight has already been developed.
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