Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has expressed his desire to make Dhangadhi Airport of international standard.
“We want to fly to America from Dhangadhi Airport and not merely to Kathmandu,” he said, informing that the airport could become an international aerodrome if it had a runway of 2,500 metres.
Speaking at the inauguration of Nepal Tourism Board’s Sudurpashchim provincial office in Dhangadhi on Monday, Minister Ale said that the ministry would arrange a budget of Rs. 1 billion within a week to make Dhangadhi an international airport.
Ale also urged locals to remain vigilant against land mafias who have become active in the area in anticipation of the airport becoming an entry point for international travellers.
On the occasion, Ale also claimed that the Board’s provincial office would never close. “My ministry will make arrangements of necessary manpower and provide the required budget,” he said.
The Minister also directed the Board to use the office to provide all the requisite information to tourists arriving in the region.
Meanwhile, he also informed that work was underway to build a highway to facilitate the travel of Indian tourists from New Delhi, India to Urai, Bajhang and Taklakot. However, he expressed dissatisfaction at the slow pace of work which he blamed on the lethargy of the contractor.
Source : TRN,
