Former Finance Minister Yubaraj Pun Urges Dialogue with India on Air Routes to Operationalize Bhairahawa International Airport

March 16 (Chaitra 3), Kathmandu – Leader of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and former Finance Minister Yubaraj Pun has made several suggestions to Prime Minister Balen Shah regarding the advancement of various development projects.

Prime Minister Shah held discussions on Monday with the members of the House of Representatives elected from Lumbini Province. During these talks, Pun, representing his constituencies Rolpa and Lumbini Province, urged the Prime Minister to prioritize ongoing development projects as well as initiate new ones in the region.

Pun emphasized the urgent need to operationalize the Bhairahawa Regional International Airport. He stressed that diplomatic talks with India regarding air routes should not be delayed to enable the commencement of international flights.

“It is time to establish a labor desk at Bhairahawa Airport and regularize international flights to boost tourism potential,” Pun stated. “I would like to draw the honorable Prime Minister’s attention to pursue diplomatic initiatives with India to open international air routes without further delay.”

He also urged the acceleration of construction work on the Shaheed Highway connecting Koilabas (Dang) through Rolpa and Rukum to Dolpa. He highlighted that this route provides access to China’s northern border and holds strategic significance. Pun requested budget provisions for blacktopping the Ghorahi–Holeri section of the Shaheed Highway and upgrading the road from Sulichaur to Uwa in Rolpa.

Further, Pun appealed to the government to push forward the Madi Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project in Rolpa. Although preparatory arrangements for this project—developed through a joint investment between the state-owned Hydro Electricity and Investment Development Company Limited and China Power Construction Corporation—have been completed, construction has been halted. The hydro project involves damming the Madi River in Rolpa Municipality wards 1 and 2.

He also underscored the need to revive the Gandaki Economic Triangle project, which he had included in the fiscal year 2024 (2081/082 BS) budget during his tenure as finance minister. This project envisions a model development campaign by connecting Bharatpur, Butwal, and Pokhara in a triangle and fostering partnerships with the private sector. Pun noted that such development could transform the economy and act as a ‘game changer’ for the nation’s overall economic progress.

The conceptual framework of the economic triangle designated the Narayangadh–Butwal segment as a center for construction materials and heavy industries; the Mugling–Pokhara route as a hub for agriculture and food processing industries; and the Pokhara–Butwal route as a center for electrical equipment, footwear, textiles, carpets, and consumer-related industries. However, following a power-sharing agreement on July 2, 2024 (Ashad 17, 2081 BS) between Congress and UML, the project was scrapped by the KP Oli-led government after revising the budget.

Additionally, Pun recommended an integrated development project in Lumbini Province to utilize fertile lands efficiently, incorporating irrigation, fertilizers, seeds, modern agricultural tools, and efficient market management to boost agricultural production. He urged allocation of some projects based on proportional distribution among the 165 electoral constituencies as per parliamentary recommendations, recalling that a similar equitable arrangement existed for former regimes.