Corruption in China constructed airport in Nepal: Parliamentary committee
A Parliamentary sub-committee has found that there has been irregularities and corruption of around Rs10 billion while the construction of Pokhara International Airport, an airport constructed in Nepal’s far-western region.
The sub-committee was formed under the Public Accounts Committee, has prepared a draft with finding that there has been irregularities in 11 areas. The sub-committee was led by Rajendra Lingden, Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, a royalist party which is organizing demonstrations demanding restoration of Monarchy and Hindu state.
According to a member of the committee, the corruption in Pokhara airport is one of the biggest scam in the recent political history. The corruption could be higher than 10 billion as Ministry of Finance refused to provide some key documents, the member said.
The cost of the airport construct of Rs14 billion has been unnaturally increased to 22 billion. Pokhara International Airport built taking loans from China’s Exim Bank came into operation from 2023. The airport is struggling to make money due to the lack of flights.
Earlier, there were reports of several technical error in the airport. The construction of airport began in 2016 and was completed in 2023.
In 2023, China listed Pokhara International Airport under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Nepal government, however, is dismissing the Chinese claim stating that airport is not under the BRI. Due to the lack of international flights, Nepal government is struggling to pack back the loan taken to construct the airport.
