KATHMANDU, Dec 1: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai has said that Simikot Airport in Humla would be developed as a tourist hub.
While inspecting the airport on Tuesday, Minister Bhattarai said that it should be developed as a religious and cultural hub as Humla is the main gateway to Mansarovar. He said, “The number of tourists coming to Simikot would be the same as that of Lukla in terms of tourism. So the airport would be expanded to promote religious and cultural tourism.”
Pilgrims heading towards Kailash Manasarovar stranded
In response to the remarks of locals that their culture was of a specific nature, Minister Bhattarai said that it is necessary to promote cultural tourism in the area. He also expressed commitment of the Ministry to provide all possible assistance for the development of the tourism sector in Humla. Minister Bhattarai has directed concerned authorities to expedite the construction of aprons and parking lots at Simikot Airport.
Member of parliament Chakka Bahadur Lama has requested the ministry to expand the airport to facilitate landing of at least a 45-seater aircraft at the airport.
