Minister Gurung pledges to take initiatives for international flights from Pokhara Int’l Airport

Gandaki: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung reaffirmed his commitment to make efforts for the operation of international flights from Pokhara International Airport.

Inaugurating the 26th Pokhara Road Festival organized by the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) Pokhara on Saturday, Minister Gurung shared that a 20-point action plan has been endorsed by the incumbent government for the operation of Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.

According to him, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation was responsible for implementing this very action plan.

Likewise, Minister Gurung stressed the need for relevant ministries to make arrangements for medical tests, visa permit, customs clearance for import and export of goods and all arrangement that can be facilitated in Pokhara in light of the operation of international flights from Pokhara.

He also pointed out the need for establishing air connectivity between Pokhara and six other provinces and viewed that Pokhara could be developed as a hub for education and health care.

Minister Gurung opined that a data centre could be established in the city and viewed the tourism development could be advanced through mountain flights in the province housing enchanting mountain ranges such as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.

Gurung insisted that the provincial government should not rely on assistance from the federal government any more for development of tourism. “It’s imperative to deliver to one’s level best and accelerate development bid,” the Minister urged.

Likewise, province minister for Agriculture and Land Management Padma GC Shrestha praised the natural heritages of Gandaki Province and thus spoke of the need to capitalize on it.

Similarly, Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya shared that main developmental works had been taken forward after Pokhara was declared the province capital.

In the programme presided over by REBAN’s Pokhara’s President Bidhwaraj Poudel, Association’s central President Sangharsha Bista expressed his confidence that the Festival would promote internal tourism and help extend the stay of foreign tourism.

The Festival features cultural shows, duet song competition, concert, national and international cuisines’ exhibition.

Several other activities such as Mo;Mo eating competition, tug of war competition and boat race among others are other attractions of the festival, according to the organizer.

Alongside these activities, dialogues on tourism will be organized during the festival that will run through January 1 next year.

The stalls will be provided for free of cost to exhibitors showcasing handicrafts, promoting locally produced goods and environment-friendly products.