Govt clear on building Nijgadh Int'l Airport: Finance Minister Sharma

KATHMANDU, JUNE 6 : Finance Minister Janardan Sharma on Saturday said the government was clear on constructing the Nijgadh International Airport in Bara. Construction of the project has come to a halt following the verdict of the Supreme Court not to continue with the project. "Nijgadh airport should and will be constructed. This is my commitment. The incumbent government has accorded high priority to the project," he said while addressing the 46th annual general meeting of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Birgunj.

The project was needed not only as an alternative means to the Tribhuvan International Airport, but for the entire economic development of the Madhes and the whole country, he viewed. There was a need to construct the project and the Kathmandu-Tarai fast-track, he said. "The fast track that will connect the Madhes with Kathmandu is under-construction. Not only vehicles will ply along the road. Both national and international people are made to commute." On the Birgunj sugar industry, the minister said the necessary process had moved ahead for its resumption. Beforehand, a team comprising the minister, Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini and Joint Secretary, the Revenue Management Division, Bhupal Baral inspected the industry in Birgunj.

"There have been programmes in the budget to resume the industry. Such programmes have been made based on conclusions from a study carried out for six and seven months." For resuming the industry, he also sought cooperation and assistance from industrialists and entrepreneurs of Birgunj for encouraging farmers and supplying raw materials. Voices of industrialists and entrepreneurs of Birgunj have been addressed through the government's policies and programmes for the next fiscal year, 2022/23, he said. Similarly, stating that Birgunj is a lifeline for trade, Finance Secretary Marasini said, "There have been efforts for self-reliance and industrializing industry and trade through the budget."

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