Chinese contractors have started the construction of the Pokhara Regional International Airport. They have started to use heavy equipment including dozer, excavators, loader, and tippers.
According to a report published in The Himalayan Times, Chief Engineer of the project Pradeep Adhikari inaugurated the construction works after the Chinese contractors performed their rituals.
Gerry Yang, Nepal representatives of the China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd, Asia-Pacific Division No 1 Engineering Department Chief, informed that more than three dozens of labourers and over a dozen heavy equipment have been mobilized for the construction in the first phase.
Yang shared that they have targeted to flatten the ground during this winter. Earlier, Yang and his team returned to Pokhara, after Nepal finalized the loan agreement with the Chinese government, in July.
“Nepal government has still some procedure to complete. For the construction of the infrastructure, we have started to flatten the ground,” Yang shared.
Site Manager Zhan Feng vowed to complete the project on time as the Chinese government has also granted financial aid for the project.
Meanwhile, the Chief Engineer Adhikari said distribution of compensation for the land acquisitions has been completed so far.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal had initiated the project after being elected as PM after the first Constituent Assembly, ever-since, every government have given top priority to one of the nation’s pride project.
Former PM KP Sharma Oli during his visit to China had signed a MoU of a loan agreement for the project with the Chinese government. On April 13, 2016, along with top leaders, erstwhile PM KP Sharma Oli laid a foundation stone for the project.
The Government of Nepal has already signed an agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority after the Chinese government agreed to provide Rs 22 billion loans for the project.
Earlier, PM Sushil Koirala had agreed to contract this project to China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd. The project is contracted on EPC Model.
Gerry Yang, Nepal representatives of the China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd, Asia-Pacific Division No 1 Engineering Department Chief, during his meeting with Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Jitendra Narayan Das had vowed to complete the project by July 10, 2021.