By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Nov 22: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said that the international flights from yet-to-be constructed Nijgadh International Airport would start within the next five years.
“Nijgadh International Airport is the only option of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). So, we have to construct the project at earliest to overcome the growing passenger pressure on the TIA,” he said while speaking at a face to face interaction in Kathmandu.
TIA was operating in an optimum capacity where it was providing services more than 7.2 million passengers yearly, he said, adding that the TIA would not sustain passenger flows while the government was bringing more tourists by promoting tourism.
“We have dedicated ourselves to upgrade the TIA to provide sound services to the passengers. The TIA would be developed into a boutique airport,” he said.
He said that the construction work of the Nijgadh Airport would start by completing the required procedures as the ministry was holding discussion with the Investment Board Nepal and inter-ministerial coordination was also being made in this regard.
A few people have been spreading rumor that more than 2.5 million trees have to be cut down for the airport construction which is not true, he said, adding that the report regarding the required number of trees to be felled would be published soon.
He said that the airport would be constructed causing minimum damage to environment as the government was sincere to preserve the environment and cultural heritages while carrying out development works.
Minister Bhattarai said that the government would construct the Gautam Buddha Airport, Pokhara Airport and other domestic airports and upgrade the domestic airports as well.
He said that more than 10 million people would visit Nepal after the completion of these airports.
“We are dedicated towards the result-oriented works as the Prime Minister directed us to work sincerely and make the country prosperous,” he said.
Talking about the Visit Nepal Year 2020, Minister Bhattarai said that the VNY 2020 was a stepping stone for the nation to attract more tourists.
Stating bringing 2 million tourists in 2020 is not a difficult task, he said that the government had set a target to bring 100 million tourists in the country.
“We have to develop airports and construct new hotels to welcome more tourists,” he said.
Tourism is the backbone of national economy, he said, adding that it would not only support to reduce the rampant trade deficit but also create job opportunities in the country.
”At present, contribution of the tourism to the Gross Domestic Product stands at 3 per cent. The contribution of this sector to the GDP will reach to at least 15 per cent if country would be able to bring in 10 million tourists yearly,” he said.
On the issue of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), Minister Bhattarai said that the NAC should run for making profits as it is a commercial corporation.
“The NAC should not look for the government grants for its operation. It should move ahead with strong effective business plans. So far it has failed as a commercial entity,” he said.
He said that he has already directed the NAC management to make strong effective business plans and run the corporation by becoming a competitive body capable to taking on private airlines corporation.
According to him, the government was planning to render the NAC into a public company.