Kathmandu January 28.

Speakers representing diverse sectors underscored the need to effectively take ahead the campaign to expand Bharatpur airport of Chitwan. At the discussion organized by Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in Kathmandu on Monday, the speakers said the expansion of the airport located in the middle of the country should be expedited. The programme was also attended by the former prime minister and Chairman of ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwor Pokhrel, Tourism Minister Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, Mayor of Bharatpur metropolitan city, Renu Dahal, ministry secretaries and high level officials of Nepal Army. NCP Chairman Prachanda expressed happiness over the increased coordination among the concerned ministries for the expansion of the airport, which would help intensify urbanization. Urbanization needs safe and well managed airport, he added. Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokhrel said the Defense Ministry and Nepal Army would extend full support for the expansion of Bharatpur airport. For the expansion of the airport, some facilities of Nepal Army including the land occupied by Kali Bahadur battalion should be removed. Tourism Minister Bhattarai viewed that works would be initiated soon to expand the airport by establishing effective coordination among ministries, stakeholders, local levels, and others. Moreover, Mayor of Bharatpur metropolitan city Renu Dahal said the airport should be developed as the major airport in Bagmati State. Chitwan was gradually being developed as educational and medical hub in the country, which also justifies the better airport in the city. A report was presented at the meeting by the study team coordinator Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane. The report included different issues as technical, social and economic aspects of the airport expansion.