Pokhara: The Pokhara Regional International Airport being developed by Chinese construction company CAMCE was handed over to Nepal on Saturday.

The airport was handed over to Nepal by organizing separate programs in Kathmandu and Pokhara Airport on Saturday evening on the occasion of the Nepal visit of the State Councilor of the People's Republic of China and Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi. In Kathmandu, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang handed over a symbolic key to Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka in the presence of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

In Pokhara, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale felicitated Chairman of CAMCE Lu Yan for completing the construction of the airport.

Project Chief of the Pokhara Regional International Airport Binesh Munakarmi said the handover ceremony was organized after the completion of major construction works and installation. The airport was constructed with Rs 22 billion concessional loan and grant assistance received from EXIM Bank of China.

It is said that around 93 percent of the physical work has been completed so far and the construction company would continue its works until the final completion of the project.

The runway, terminal building, air traffic control building, taxiway and other main works have been completed, according to the project officials. The deadline of the project, which was expected to complete by July 10, 2021, was extended for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the program, Minister Ale said the airport would be brought into operation soon. He claimed the government would run the airport within six months after completing all necessary preparations. “The program has sent a message that construction of the Pokhara airport has completed. It has also added impetus to the local entrepreneurs and business fraternity to spur their investment in the tourism sector here”.

Minister Ale called for the investors to spur their investment in paragliding, rafting and golf targeting internal and external tourists following the completion of airport construction works. He also shared that the government is making necessary groundwork to announce Pokhara as the tourism capital.

General-Manager of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradeep Adhikari said although the main part of the airport construction has been already completed some problems are yet to be fixed.