Business Leaders Express Concern Over Underutilization of Gautam Buddha International Airport

Rupandehi. Industrialists and businesspersons in Rupandehi have expressed concern as the Gautam Buddha International Airport, despite being completed a long time ago, has not been able to operate at full capacity. They have demanded immediate action from the government, stating that billions invested in the tourism sector are at risk due to the irregular and incomplete operation of this airport located in Bhairahawa.

According to tourism entrepreneur Amit Gupta, investments exceeding nearly one hundred billion rupees have already been made in the tourism sector of this region. Investors are disheartened because, although this airport is the main base for promoting important historical, religious, and Buddhist civilization-related destinations such as Lumbini, Devdaha, Ramgram, Tilaurakot, and the Rohini River, the expected results are not materializing. Business leaders conclude that the sluggishness in the airport's operation is hindering the overall tourism development of the Lumbini region.

Netra Prasad Acharya, President of the Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that the newly formed government must prioritize the operation of the airport. He expressed confidence that if the airport operates fully, it will bring significant change not only to tourism but also to the overall economic activities of the region. The private sector appears hopeful that a stable government will take concrete steps towards creating an investment-friendly environment, infrastructure development, and tourism expansion.

Similarly, Madhu Prasad Panthi, President of the Nepal Customs Agents Association, Bhairahawa, mentioned that the airport will play a significant role in taking the products of Rupandehi, which is Nepal's important industrial corridor, to the international market. He believes that effective regular operation of the airport and border management will support the expansion of international trade and further strengthen the industrial sector. Businesspersons claim that the regular operation of Gautam Buddha Airport will add new energy to industry and trade alongside tourism in the Lumbini region.