Recentfusion.com—Pokhara: Locals from Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) site warned of strong protest against the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) if the previously pledged development works around airport won’t be carried out at earliest.
A local Bhimsen Thapa warned of minor blast in airport site if the government won’t start development works like roads, bridges and sewerage construction in affected areas. Another local Bodh Raj Karki stressed on development works before moving forward the construction works of new airport. Likewise, another local Gokarna Karki demanded to distribute the rest compensations to local people from whom the government acquired land to construct the PRIA.
According to PRIA Project Chief Pradip Adhikari, the government had acquired some 3106 ropanis of land to construct 2nd international airport in Pokhara some 4 decade before. Later, again 521 ropanis of land was added. Now the government is preparing to acquire more 107 ropanis of land to build ring road around the proposed new airport.
According to PRIA project, most of the land compensations have already been distributed besides of 16 ropanis of land. The government has spent some 3 billion rupees as compensation to landowners. Another 1 billion rupees have been spent for administrative works.
CAAN Director General Sanjiv Gautam said that the construction works of PRIA had already been started as Chinese engineers are working in the field of new airport. Lawmaker and Parliamentary Development Committee Chairman Rabindra Adhikari assured local people of starting development works in their areas as previously committed.
Former PM KP Kharma Oli had laid foundation stone to build PRIA on the first day of this Nepali New Year in Chhinedanda of Pokhara. China EXIM Bank would provide $215m soft loan to Nepal to build 4D level airport in EPC model. Authorities from Nepali and Chinese sides are preparing to open an ESCRO account in A level Commercial bank of Nepal to pay back loan to EXIM Bank. China CAMCE has promised to complete this airport within July 2020. The length of runway will be 2,500 meters and width will be 75 meters. The final DPR of airport is due to be prepared.
Lawmaker Sharada Paudel, DB Nepali, political leaders Shankar Baral, Raj Kaji Gurung Karan, PCCI Chairman Bishwo Shankar Palikhe, NTB former executive member Basudev Tripathi and PCCI former Chairman Bindu Kumar Thapa expressed their views during the interaction organized by PRIA Project in Pokhara today.
Likewise, Western Regional Hotel Association Chairman Bharat Raj Parajuli, PVUDC former chairman Bishwo Prakash Lamichhane, PCCI former Chairman Saniv Bahadur Koirala, locals Rom Bahadur Karki and Balram Kunwar put their suggestions and views in the program.
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