Construction of China-assisted airport project formally begins in Nepal

KATHMANDU - Construction of Pokhara International Airport in Kaski district of central Nepal, being developed with the Chinese assistance, began formally on Wednesday, 16 months after the foundation station of the project was laid.

Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Jitendra Narayan Dev commenced the construction of the airport located at the country's premier tourist city Pokhara amid a function. This is one of the three new international airports planned in the Himalayan country.

Addressing the function, Minister Dev said that the project could be a milestone for the development and prosperity of the country once it comes into operation.

The project is scheduled to be completed by July 10, 2021 as per the contract signed between the project office and Chinese contractor - China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd which had bagged the contract in May 2014.

The contractor has already started constructing offices and residential buildings for project staffers. "Once the monsoon ends, construction work will begin by using heavy equipment," said Gerry Yang, representative from the contractor.

Once the airport is ready for operation, it will have 2,500 meters long and 45 meters wide runway which can handle medium category jets such as Boeing 757 and Airbus 320, according to the project office.