Archive · 8 Dec 2025
Nepal Charges 55 in Pokhara Airport Corruption Case
Nepal's anti-graft body has filed corruption cases against 55 people, including former ministers, government officials, and a Chinese company, for wrongdoings in building the Pokhara International Airport.
The airport, funded by a loan from China, has been controversial due to alleged cost inflation and design flaws.
The project, which cost over 200 million dollars, is not making enough money, and Nepal has to repay the Chinese loan.
The airport also has problems attracting international airlines because of its design, which limits the types of planes that can use it.
Only one airline is currently operating a weekly flight from Pokhara to Lhasa, China.
The case involves an estimated loss of around 74.34 million US dollars and includes charges of inflating project costs unnaturally.
The anti-graft authority has asked the court to recover Rs 8.36 billion from each of the 56 defendants, the largest financial penalty the agency has ever sought.
Nepal's anti-graft body filed corruption cases against 55 individuals, including five former ministers and several former government secretaries, over irregularities in the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport.
The cases involve an estimated loss of around 74.34 million US dollars and include charges of inflating project costs unnaturally and using substandard materials.
Chinese construction company China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd and its officials are also defendants in the case.
The airport, funded by China’s Export-Import Bank, has faced criticism for its lack of revenue generation and operational limitations due to design flaws.
Only Himalaya Airlines is currently operating a scheduled flight from Pokhara to Lhasa, raising concerns about the airport's financial viability.
- Who
- 55 individuals, including five former ministers, several former government secretaries, and China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd.
- What
- Corruption cases filed over irregularities in the construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport
- When
- Cases filed on Sunday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Nepal, specifically Pokhara
- Why
- Alleged procurement of contractors by inflating the cost of the project unnaturally and using substandard materials
Nepal
China
Project Funding
Nepal
Nepal is obligated to repay the loan for the airport, which it cannot afford due to lack of revenue.
China
China provided the loan and expects repayment as per the agreement.
Project Management
Nepal
Nepalese officials allege that the Chinese contractor and local officials colluded to inflate costs.
China
China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd. denies any wrongdoing and states that the project was executed as per the contract.
- Estimated Loss
- 74.34 million US dollars (NPR 8.36 billion)
- Project Cost
- 215.96 million US dollars
- Funding Source
- China’s Export-Import Bank
- Runway Length
- 2,500 metres
- Current Operator
- Himalaya Airlines (Pokhara-Lhasa route)
- Inauguration Date
- January 1, 2023
- Loan Repayment Period
- 20 years
- Loan Interest Rate
- 2% annual interest (25% interest-free)
