Kathmandu – Nepali Congress lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain raised serious concerns in parliament today over the Chinese loan for the Pokhara International Airport, along with broader issues plaguing Nepal's aviation sector. Bajgain underscored that despite the nation being committed to repaying billions in loans for the airport, international flights have yet to commence, casting doubt on the project's viability and the rationale behind its financing.

"We are still paying over a billion rupees annually to China for the airport, yet it remains underutilized," Bajgain remarked, calling for an immediate review of the situation. He expressed frustration at the government's consideration of another Chinese loan for the Damak Corridor project, citing the financial burdens imposed by the Pokhara airport loan as a cautionary example.

The lawmaker also voiced his concerns about significant design flaws in both the Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports, claiming that these facilities do not meet international standards. According to Bajgain, these shortcomings contribute to Nepal's continued inclusion on the European Union’s aviation safety blacklist, a long-standing issue that has hampered the growth of Nepal's aviation sector due to safety concerns regarding the country’s airports and airlines.

In addition to these criticisms, Bajgain accused the ruling government of failing to address key issues, including the delay in removing Pradip Adhikari, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), despite multiple requests. "I have repeatedly asked the government to dismiss him, but they have not responded," Bajgain stated.

He also criticized the ongoing extension of halted flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) due to taxiway expansion. Previously, flight operations were suspended for eight hours during runway construction, but this closure has now been extended to ten hours. Bajgain suggested this might be a deliberate attempt to divert flights, including Indian airlines, to Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports. However, he argued that such a move is unacceptable given the unresolved issues with these airports.

In a sharp criticism directed at the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Bajgain accused the party of hypocrisy, particularly following its involvement in the arrest of a media house's Managing Director. "A party that arrests the MD of a media house shouldn't be lecturing about democracy," he asserted.

Bajgain's statements come at a time of increasing scrutiny over Nepal's aviation infrastructure and the handling of foreign loans. His comments have raised broader questions about the government's ability to effectively manage large-scale infrastructure projects and ensure that they benefit the nation.