Nijgadh airport will be developed as alternative airport: Minister Poudel

KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel has said the government is active in protecting and promoting culture and in developing the tourism sector.

Responding to questions during debate on appropriation headings related to his ministry under the Appropriation Bill, 2083, in the National Assembly on Monday, Minister Paudel said the ministry has given top priority to the development and expansion of the civil aviation sector.

He said the forthcoming tourism act and regulations will include provisions to prevent people from climbing Mt Sagarmatha (Everest) unless they have climbed mountains above 7,000 metres, adding the government is committed to reducing pressure on Sagarmatha in the coming days.

The minister stated that more than 132,000 Indian tourists visited the Muktinath area last year and underlined that the government has emphasised cooperation among government, private, non-government, and donor agencies and the diaspora to increase tourist arrivals and promote tourism.

He said the ministry plans to forward Nijgadh airport as an alternative international airport. Sharing that a tourist resting place has been constructed on land in Ayodhya provided by the Indian government to Nepal, he expressed the belief that it would further boost Nepal-India relations.

The minister briefed parliament that the government has been taking diplomatic initiatives to settle air routes for Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International airports.

The National Assembly will meet next at 12:15 pm on Tuesday.

By RSS