Lumbini Province members of parliament (MPs) have urged Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) to hold talks with India on air routes to operate Bhairahawa Airport.
Prime Minister Shah held discussions with members of the House of Representatives elected from Lumbini Province. During the discussions, the MPs raised issues related to the development and construction of the province.
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) MP and former Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun ‘Ananta’, who participated in the discussions, said that he had drawn Prime Minister Shah’s attention to prioritize the ongoing development projects and some new projects in Rolpa and Lumbini Provinces.
He drew the Prime Minister’s attention to immediately bring the Bhairahawa Regional International Airport into operation. He said that there should be no delay in advancing diplomatic dialogue with India on air routes to operate international flights.
"There should be no delay in opening the door to tourism opportunities by setting up a labor desk at Bhairahawa Airport and regularizing international flights," Pun said in the discussion. "I would like to draw the attention of the honorable Prime Minister to take diplomatic initiatives with India for international air routes."
Similarly, Pun has demanded that the construction of the Martyr's Road connecting Dolpa via Koilabas-Rolpa-Rukum in Dang be accelerated. He said that the road, which touches the border of the northern neighbor China, has strategic importance.
Pun also emphasized advancing the Gandaki Economic Triangle Project, a key initiative from his tenure as Finance Minister in the 2081/82 budget. He argued that by partnering with the private sector to link Bharatpur, Butwal, and Pokhara, this integrated development model would create a new economic hub. Ultimately, he believes this project could serve as a "game changer" for the nation's overall economy.
Similarly, the MP has also suggested moving forward with an integrated development project in Lumbini Province, including irrigation, fertilizer, seeds, modern agricultural tools, and market management.
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