Chitra Raj Bhandari
KATHMANDU – Nepali Congress leader Deep Kumar Upadhaya has claimed that massive irregularities were made in offering Pokhara International Airport construction bid to Chinese company.
The former Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism also claimed that the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu was also actively involved in the irregularity for providing the tender to Chinese firm.
Backing his claims Updhadya pointed out that in loan aid a firm cannot be picked for the task directly like in a grant aid and said that the Chinese firm was picked for the task directly.
Secondly Upadhaya pointed out that the Chinese firm was selected for the task even though its bid nearly 12 billion more than the estimated cost.
Thirdly, he said that the Chinese firm, CAANC does not have any practical experience of airport construction as it is an government company assigned with the task to produce and market agricultural tools.
Accusing the government of massive irregularities in the project, that is important for the nation, he said that the estimated cost for the project was far greater than the Bhairava International Aiport, which is also of the same nature.
While calling for the intervention of the CIAA into the procedure of the bid selection, he called on the government to make its dealing more transparent.
CPN UML leader Pradeep Gyanwali supported Upadhaya’s conviction while stating that the government’s bid to build the airport by paying nearly 12 billions was evident of massive irregularities in the project.
Former Civil Aviation Authority Managing Director Mohan Adhikari opined that such a costly project will never benefit the nation and called on all sides to be aware of the irregularities within the project.
Former registrar of the Supreme Court said that the construction of the project could not be started through EPC model, as done by the government, and called on the government to award the project through competitive bidding process.
Speaking at the same program Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Post Bahadur Bogati said that he was committed to maintain transparency in the project and assured concerned stakeholders that the airport will be built.
Bogati said that he was in consultation with experts on the estimated cost of the project and assured that he will take a decision on the issue only after the consultations.
He even called on agitating Pokhara residents to come for talks and expressed willingness to hold the talks in Pokhara itself if needed.
भाद्र ११ गते, २०६९ मा प्रकाशित
