KATHMANDU, Aug 11: Calls are intensifying to prioritize the resumption of the direct flight between Nepalgunj and Delhi during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India.
A multi-party dialogue held recently in Kathmandu, organized by the Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brought together representatives from political parties, civil society and relevant sectors. Participants unanimously emphasized that reinstating the Nepalgunj-Delhi direct flight would play a vital role in boosting the region’s and the country’s overall economic prosperity. They urged the government to actively engage with Indian authorities to revive the service.
Buddha Air initially launched the Nepalgunj-Delhi direct flight in 2018. However, the service was suspended just a month after its launch due to the unavailability of required flight slots from Indian authorities.
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Since then, stakeholders from Banke, Bardiya and other parts of western Nepal have persistently demanded the flight’s resumption. Officials indicated that the Indian side has shown renewed interest in restarting the route, highlighting mutual benefits for both Nepal and India.
The suspension was reportedly due to security concerns raised by Indian authorities. Experts recommend addressing these concerns through diplomatic assurances, ideally secured by the Prime Minister during his visit to gain India’s firm commitment.
The discussion featured several Members of Parliament and local representatives from western Nepal, including Sanjay Gautam, Dr. Dhawal Shamsher Rana, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Surya Dhakal, Maheshwar Jung Gahatraj, Deepa Sharma Rupakheti, Laxmi Tiwari, Shanti Chaudhary, Shova Gyawali, Javedah Khatun, Asha Bk, Abdul Khan and others. They collectively expressed strong support for the direct flight initiative and pledged to facilitate its progress.
Key figures such as Prashant Bist, Mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City; Chandra Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI); former FNCCI President Bhawani Rana and Deepkaraj Joshi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, highlighted the flight’s potential to enhance tourism, trade and regional development.
Western Nepal is rich in tourist attractions and holds promising potential for medicinal herb cultivation, agriculture, and energy sector development. Tanka Bahadur Dhami, President of the Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underscored the need for unified cooperation among all stakeholders to make the direct flight a reality.
MP Sanjay Gautam stressed Nepalgunj’s strategic geographic, cultural, and economic significance, calling the direct flight a crucial milestone for development. Meanwhile, lawmaker Abdul Khan emphasized transforming Nepalgunj into a premier hub for tourism promotion in western Nepal.
MP Dr. Rana remarked, “The day the Nepalgunj-Delhi direct flight resumes, the transformation of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces will begin.” MP Basnet also pledged full support for necessary infrastructure and policy measures to facilitate the initiative.