The committee has argued that the government should build the mega projects by mobilizing internal resources to maximize benefits for the country."We have arrived at a conclusion that both the projects can be built in the Upper Tamakoshi model," Prakash Jwala, chairman of the committee said, adding that the government can begin work by allocating Rs 15 billion every year. "It can mobilize remaining amount by issuing initial public offering (IPO)," he added.
The second international airport project has become feasible after technicians of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation recalculated the project cost at Rs 121 billion for a single-runway by customizing the designs in Detailed Project Report prepared by a South Korean consultant which had estimated the cost at more than Rs 700 billion.
Lawmakers, however, have suggested adding another runaway, saying that the cost won't increase significantly.
Bikram Pandey, member of Finance Committee, said that they wanted to clarify that the committee is not against development projects. "The government should begin both important projects by mobilizing internal resources as well as borrowing loans from multi-lateral donors," Pandey said, adding that it should outsource construction work to international contractors. "The projects can be built in the way the government built Ranijamara and Sikta irrigation projects," said Pandey.
Another member Kamala Pant said that the government should not dilly-dally on the projects.
The country felt the need to build a new international airport after the only airport in the country -- Tribhuwan International Airport - was halted for four days in March last year after a Turkish Airlines aircraft skidded off the runway, obstructing all landing and take offs.
The committee asked the government to build the projects by mobilizing internal resources, after holding discussion with Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel and Tourism Secretary Prem Kumar Rai. It has urged the government to prepare design and cost estimation, and complete land acquisition and resettlement, among others, in a fast track manner.
The parliamentary committee's direction has come at a time when the government's plan to award the 76-kilometer fast track road to an Indian consortium under Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model is under consideration at the Supreme Court.
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