Study report on Pokhara Int'l Airport submitted to PAC

KATHMANDU, APRIL 18: A parliamentary subcommittee formed to investigate the construction of Pokhara International Airport (PIA) has submitted its detailed report to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Federal Parliament.

The subcommittee, coordinated by lawmaker Rajendra Prasad Lingden, was tasked with examining allegations of irregularities in the airport’s construction. The team included lawmakers Arjun Narsingh KC, Aman Lal Modi, Gokul Prasad Baskota, Janardan Sharma, Tara Lama Tamang, Deepak Giri, Dev Prasad Timilsina, Prem Bahadur Ale, and Ram Krishna Yadav.

The investigation was conducted in accordance with a PAC decision dated June 9, 2024, following growing public concern over transparency and efficiency in the airport’s development.

During its field visit, the subcommittee consulted stakeholders, local residents, and technical experts. The final report highlights issues related to physical infrastructure, equipment procurement, runway quality, and the surrounding environment.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 22 billion through a loan from China’s EXIM Bank, PIA was completed on December 29, 2022. Although officially inaugurated in January 2023, the airport has yet to commence regular international flights, with only a few chartered services recorded to date. At present, it operates solely domestic flights.

According to the subcommittee, the report identifies several challenges that affected the construction process and offers recommendations that could guide future government action. PAC is expected to deliberate on the findings in the coming days.