Investment modality of NIA to be finalised in upcoming budget

KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 26: Minister for Finance Dr. Prakas Sharan Mahat has informed the investment modality of the Nijgadh International Airport (NIA) will be finalised in the upcoming national budget. He did so while presenting the principles and priorities of the budget to be prepared for 2024/25.

The NIA in southern Nepal has long been proposed as one of the full-fledged super hub transit airports in South Asia. Apart from significantly mitigating the traffic congestion at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, it is expected to serve as an international air transit hub capable of transporting cheap bulk air cargo fast. According to experts, the airport will also sustain the national supply system and replace surface transports, in case of emergency and blockade conditions as well.

Despite all this, its construction has not gathered any pace so far due to controversies related mainly to environment.