KATHMANDU, May 22: The government has expressed commitment to bring Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa within a year and Pokhara International Airport within three years.

Presenting the government's policy and programs for Fiscal Year 2018/19 President Bidhya Devi Bhandari also said that the airports will come into operation within the stipulated timeframes after completing all construction and other necessary works.

The policy and programs document also mentions that the government will enhance aviation safety by installing necessary equipment at the Tribhuvan International Airport. “The government will also give continuity to TIA expansion works,” the

document states.

Opening of new air routes, expansion and upgradation of domestic airports and renovation of runway are the other programs included in the government's policy and programs for FY2018/19.

The government has also stated that necessary infrastructure will be built and promotional activities carried out in potential markets to bring more foreign tourists to the country. It has also expressed commitment to provide better services and facilities to increase tourist footfall as well as their stay and spending.

“Tourist destinations all over the country will be developed and promoted accordingly in order to attract more tourists. Similarly, new destinations will be identified and developed,” the policy and programs document states.

The government has also set a deadline of three years to complete reconstruction of Dharahara, Kasthamandap and Ranipokhari.

In the policy and programs for FY2017/18, the government had stated that additional airports will be built with the objective of expanding air transport to the rural areas.

The government has stated that regular flights will be operated to domestic airports like Dang, Balewa of Baglung and Surkhet from the beginning of the new fiscal year. Similarly, the policy and programs document has also floated a concept of one provincial international airport in each province.

Likewise, the government has said that it would launch 'One City, One Identity' program to promote tourism and diversify trade and business.

The new policy and programs document, however, is silent on several programs included in the government's policy and programs for FY2017/18. In the policy and programs for the last fiscal year, the government had said that the government will make necessary for weather forecasting to make mountain tourism safer. “Similarly, work to establish integrated rescue centers in the Everest and Annapurna regions will be expedited,” the document had stated.

However, none of these has been included in the new policy and programs document of the government for FY2018/19.

 
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