The private sector has urged the government to expedite the construction of the much-talked Regional International Airport in Pokhara at the earliest.

Organising a press conference in the capital on Friday, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) along with tourism and hotel entrepreneurs urged the government to immediately start the construction works at the international airport in Pokhara without further delay keeping in view of tourism industry and the economy opportunities the airport would open up.

Speaking on the occasion, FNCCI senior vice-president Bhaskar Raj Rajkarnikar urged the government to finalise the tender process at the earliest for the construction of the much awaited project.

"Though all the preparation has been completed for the construction of the project, officials at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) have been showing indifference in starting the construction," said Anandaraj Mulmi, former president of FNCCI and member of Pokhara Regional International Stakeholder Committee.

The project has been delayed after the project cost went up to US$ 305 (Rs. 27 billion) as per the estimation of lowest bidder, a Chinese company, while the government had estimated the project cost at around Rs. US$ 180 million (Rs. 16 billion).

Earlier, CAAN had said that the estimated budget was very high and that it was unable to put in such a huge amount for the project.

Representatives of FNCCI, Nepal Association of Tour & Travel (NATA), Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pokhara Tourism Council were present in the press meet. nepalnews.com