I Will Push for Direct Nepalgunj–Delhi Flight: Foreign Minister Dr. Rana

Kathmandu: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has said she will make every effort to initiate a direct flight between Nepalgunj and New Delhi, India.

Dr. Rana made this commitment during a meeting at the ministry with leaders of major political parties from Banke, members of the Federal Parliament representing Banke and Bardiya, industrialists, businesspersons, representatives of civil society, and other stakeholders, who had come to request her to take the initiative for the Nepalgunj–Delhi flight.

“I have been working on this initiative for some time now. We have placed the Nepalgunj–Delhi flight agenda as a priority. This flight will bring mutual benefits to both Nepal and India, and the more we can expand connectivity, the greater the advantage for Nepal. Therefore, I will actively work to make this flight a reality,” Minister Dr. Rana said.

She stressed that enhancing connectivity between Nepal and India would lead to growth in tourism, transportation, trade, industry, and people-to-people relations, benefiting both sides.

She noted that the flight could make a significant contribution to the economy of western Nepal and transform the region’s prospects. Minister Dr. Rana also mentioned that necessary tourism infrastructure, including hotels, had already been built in Nepalgunj, making her committed to pursuing the plan seriously.

During the meeting, an all-party delegation from Banke and Bardiya, including business leaders and political party representatives, urged Minister Dr. Rana to ensure the issue is included as a priority agenda during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India.

They highlighted that a direct Nepalgunj–Delhi flight is essential to establishing Nepalgunj as the “Gateway to Mansarovar” and would directly benefit residents of nearly 25 districts across Sudurpaschim, Karnali, and Lumbini provinces. Further informing that the airport can serve 600 passengers per hour and that all necessary infrastructure for the flight has already been completed.