Is PIA a one belt one froad project?

POKHARA: The Pokhara International Airport (PIA) construction company turned it over to the Nepal government because it was not finished.

The airport was handed over by the construction company CAAMCE during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Nepal in Chaith (March/April).

The airport was dedicated in separate ceremonies in Kathmandu and Pokhara. At the Prime Minister’s residence in Kathmandu, he handed over the airport key to then-Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Pokhara also hosted a grand event. Tourism ministers and construction companies were in Pokhara. The speech given by the construction company’s chairman at the opening ceremony has now become contentious. He stated in a speech at the time that Pokhara Airport was a project of China’s One Belt One Road Initiative.

‘China and Nepal are friendly neighboring countries. It is linked together by lovely snow chains. Pokhara Airport is a project of national pride for Nepal, as well as a major project of China-Nepal cooperation under the One Belt, One Road initiative,’ he said.

Although the authority stated that international flights would be available on the day of the inauguration, international flights were unable to take place because India did not provide final approval.

Buddha Air completed all Nepalese procedures and asked the Government of India for permission to fly to Varanasi one month ago. But he didn’t get it.

The Pokhrelis are now skeptical of India’s refusal to grant permission. ‘China is fully involved in this airport. The loan is also from China, the construction company is also from China,” an expert said, “India may not have given permission for the transfer of the airport because of the One Belt One Road Initiative project. It has a strategic effect.’

The issue was also raised during a press conference to discuss the inauguration preparations. ‘Many foreign airlines have expressed interest in flying the plane,’ a journalist told the authority. But why didn’t the Indian company show interest?’ ‘Indian ships are different,’ said Bikram Gautam, head of the Pokhara authority.

They have more room to run around than I do. I’m here to make sure the rules are followed. I am not known for providing diplomatic responses.’

Many people have also expressed concerns about the route. However, Gautam stated that this is not the current issue. ‘Root is not an issue. Another route can be taken if the technology allows it,’ he said as he prepared to fly the aircraft for 18 hours.

But he didn’t say when the international flight would take off. “We have made good toys and sold them in the market; we don’t know when they will be sold,” Gautam explained, “but we believe that an international flight from here will be available as soon as possible.”

-Prakash Dhakal