Kathmandu, Feb 16: The Nijgarh International Airport Project Office is eagerly anticipating the government’s decision on its proposal for the initial phase, based on the recommendations of an expert group. Having submitted a detailed proposal outlining four designated areas for development in the first week of January, the project office now awaits the Cabinet’s verdict to proceed.

Vijayakumar Yadav, the head of the project’s office in Simra, disclosed that the proposal, formulated in alignment with the expert group’s report, identifies four strategic areas within the protected zone for initial development. Covering approximately 1,933 hectares, these areas include designated forts and adjacent land, delineated to kick-start construction activities.

The proposal, emphasizing the completion of the first phase within the identified acreage, awaits the official endorsement of the Council of Ministers. Yadav emphasized that progress hinges on the decision to be published in the gazette, a crucial step towards advancing construction efforts.

Yadav clarified that until the Cabinet’s verdict is reached, ancillary tasks such as managing Tangiya Basti, a pivotal aspect of the project, remain on hold. This development comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling nullifying previous initiatives and mandating adherence to the expert group’s recommendations.

Following the Supreme Court’s directive, a 10-member expert committee, led by air infrastructure specialist Birendra Bahadur Deuja, was established. Their exhaustive report, affirming the feasibility of an international airport in the proposed area, received Cabinet approval a year later.

Now, with the submission of the proposed fort locations, the Nijgarh International Airport Project eagerly awaits the government’s decision, a pivotal milestone in advancing Nepal’s ambitious aviation aspirations.