KATHMANDU: Maoist Center leader Sudan Kirati has called for a thorough investigation into the decision-makers behind the construction of the Pokhara International Airport, questioning the legality and rationale behind the project.
Taking to social media, Kirati criticized the hefty investment made in the airport and urged legal action against those responsible for approving the project without proper study. “Those who decided to build the airport in such an unscientific manner should face punishment,” he said.
Citing his own experience of shelving plans for an airport in Dharan, Kirati said, “I wanted to build an airport in Dharan, but not out of passion. One must act in accordance with the law. If not, it becomes corruption.”
He said no large-scale infrastructure project should move forward without mandatory technical, economic, commercial, and environmental assessments. “If these are ignored, the project will fail, and public resources will be misused,” he warned.
Referring to the Pokhara Airport, he said, “It is now at the peak of public debate. Who benefited from it? Who profited? An investigation will reveal the truth. It often seems like those who feast on corruption become powerful, while those who feed them are left behind.”
Kirati claimed his decision not to build the Dharan airport helped prevent further misuse of state resources and avoid unnecessary public debt. “Though I am saddened that I couldn’t deliver an airport to Dharan, I am proud that I didn’t fall into the trap of populist slogans that misuse public funds,” he said.
He ended his statement with a cautionary note, urging leaders not to deceive the public with empty promises and to “keep the country and people at heart before making grand decisions.”
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