95pc of 100-day work plan completed: MoCTCA

Kathmandu, May 25

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has claimed that it has been successful in completing 95 per cent of the works as promised in the 100-day work plan.

Rabindra Adhikari, minister of MoCTCA, had unveiled government’s 100-day action plan targeting Nepal’s tourism industry on March 30.

The plan has basically prioritised reforming the country’s only international airport — Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) — expediting development works of tourism-related national pride projects, strengthening Nepal Airlines and making policy reforms, among other issues related to the ministry.

“We have started operating TIA for 21 hours a day to reduce air traffic congestion, which we had promised in the plan,” Adhikari stated.

Similarly, the ministry has said that it was able to enhance the capacity of air traffic control (ATC) unit at TIA and the work to manage the parking bay at TIA is ongoing. Likewise, to better manage the baggage delivery system for the travellers, TIA has started operating all the four conveyor belts. More chairs and air-conditioning units have also been added in the waiting areas.

MoCTCA said that it was, however, able to complete only 38 per cent (from 37 per cent earlier) of the work regarding construction of runway, tower and terminal building at the Gautam Buddha International Airport so far against its commitment to complete 40 per cent of such works.

Meanwhile, the ministry informed that it has already hired a design review and supervision consultant for the Pokhara Regional International Airport and the consultant has begun its work as promised.

Additionally, as mentioned in the 100-day action plan, the MoCTCA has been able to make the Pashupatinath Temple area a beggar-free zone. In the meantime, the ministry has said that it will soon start ‘e-puja’ service at Pashupatinath Temple as per the demand of devotees.

Similarly, to promote Pashupatinath Temple, MoCTCA is also producing a documentary that will highlight the historical, archaeological and mythological significance of the area that receives a considerable number of pilgrims.

Moreover, the ministry has said that they are enhancing the Nepal Aviation Safety Plan (NASP), which is based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s rules and regulations.

“We have not been able to move forward with a few projects due to resource crunch and also as we have not been able to utilise the available resources. However, we are trying to maintain the cost of the projects and will try to implement them as scheduled,” said Adhikari.

Minister Adhikari further said that the system of ‘reward and punishment’ needs to be introduced so that projects are not only completed on time but are also of good quality.

“One of the major achievements of the 100-day action plan has been the operation of inter-province air service,” he stated. At present, there are flight services between Pokhara and Bharatpur, and Pokhara and Bhairahawa, and the government has plans to further expand province-to-province air services.

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