Kathmandu, 19 November: Again, when the government decided to construct a new international airport in Nijgadh, some sections started a protest campaign.
They say that at a time when the two newly built international airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara have not been able to operate, again, the government has decided to construct another airport in Nijgadh.
Those anti-Nijgadh airport campaigners don’t talk about why the two airports have not been operated.
As India denied giving entry permits to aircraft via Gorakhpur and Gaurifanta, the airline companies have shown reluctance in operating flights. Otherwise, some Nepali airline companies have requested to operate flights from Pokhara and Bhairahawa to different Indian cities. They have not been able to get a permit.
If India grants a permit to enter via Gaurifanta or Gorakhpur, many airline companies from the Gulf countries are ready to fly to Bhairahawa.
About Nijgadh:
Nijgadh is the only alternative international airport to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for Nepal to operate heavy aircraft. Experts have identified Nijgadh as the only site where big aircraft can be operated. Furthermore, the TIA has already become congested and we need another airport alternative to it.
For operating air cargo and passenger services with big aircraft, the Kathmandu airport is too small to land them. The international demand for big aircraft is continuously increasing. Reputed international airline companies are replacing small and medium-sized aircraft with big aircraft. Therefore, we need to construct an airport where big aircraft can land and take off easily.
We should not forget that Nepal is a landlocked country and the significance of the air service for Nepal. India doesn’t want Nepal’s economic prosperity or Nepal developing direct links with other countries. There is a vested interest of India for not constructing an airport in Nijgadh.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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