KATHMANDU, April 19: After a report exposed billions in corruption in the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) launched an investigation into alleged corruption in the construction and expansion of Dhangadhi Airport.
The CIAA sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) on April 3 and to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) on April 13, demanding all related documents and details. The commission is investigating claims of financial misappropriation and irregularities amounting to millions of rupees during the tenure of former Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Prem Bahadur Ale. The CIAA initiated the probe after receiving complaints alleging that Ale directed the corrupt activities.
Former Minister Ale has denied any wrongdoing in the matter. "I've heard some reports and news on the issue. If I had made a mistake, the CIAA would have issued me a notice—but it hasn't. Someone is trying to conspire against me," he said.
The complaint filed with the CIAA accuses Ale of misusing government funds for personal gain during his tenure as minister. It alleges that Ale directed officials to deposit Rs 1 billion from the CAAN's account into Mega Bank. He then used that deposit as collateral to secure a loan of the same amount and allegedly purchased 30 bighas of land worth Rs 750.30 million around Dhangadhi Airport.
Minister Ale directs officials to expedite land acquisition pro...
The complaint states that authorities purchased land around the airport at a rate of Rs 1.25 million per kattha. During the election period, Ale repeatedly pledged to upgrade not only Dhangadhi Airport but also to resume operations at the Doti Airport in Dipayal.
The government allocated a budget to acquire land for Dhangadhi Airport's upgrade. Under the plan, officials aimed to acquire 250 bighas of land and extend the runway to 2,500 meters.
On December 26, 2021, Minister Ale chaired a meeting where the CAAN decided to allocate Rs 1 billion for Dhangadhi Airport's expansion.
Minister Ale allocated budgets for several airports in addition to Dhangadhi Airport: Rs 186.1 million for Doti Airport, Rs 30 million each for Sanfebagar and Kamal Bazar airports, Rs 25.1 million for Mahendranagar Airport, Rs 15 million for Baitadi Airport, Rs 26.5 million for Darchula Airport, Rs 1.2 million for Bajhang Airport, Rs 1.8 million for Bajura Airport, and Rs 5 million for a feasibility study. study at Dadeldhura Airport.
After Ale left office, authorities failed to implement the Dhangadhi Airport expansion plan, leaving it in limbo. Reports indicate that officials misused Rs 250 million from the unspent portion of the allocated funds.
The CIAA has sent letters to both the MoCTCA and the CAAN regarding the matter, instructing the Authority to submit the relevant documents and clarifications within seven days. The Authority has confirmed that it will provide all the requested details on time. "The CIAA has requested documents related to decisions and expenses concerning the Dhangadhi Airport expansion. We are preparing to submit all the documents within the given deadline," said a CAAN official.
Prem Bahadur Ale, a Member of Parliament elected from Doti and affiliated with the CPN (Unified Socialist), remains inactive in the party and did not attend its recent general convention. In a parliamentary committee meeting, Ale admitted that during his tenure as Minister, he appointed CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari and Nepal Airlines Corporation Executive Chairperson Ubaraj Adhikari under pressure from the party.
