Archive · 9 Dec 2025
Nepal Charges 55 in Airport Corruption Case
Nepal has charged 55 people, including five former ministers and a Chinese company, with corruption.
They are accused of making the cost of building the Pokhara International Airport much higher than it should have been.
The original estimate was $170 million, but the final cost was $244 million.
The money for the project came from a loan from China.
The airport was opened in 2023, but no international airlines are using it yet.
Corruption is a big problem in Nepal, and there have been protests about it.
The prime minister even had to resign because of these protests.
The airport is in Pokhara, a city known for being the gateway to the Annapurna mountain.
Nepal's anti-graft panel charged 55 officials and a Chinese company with corruption in the construction of Pokhara International Airport.
The accused inflated the project cost from an estimated $170 million to $244 million.
The final payment was made using a $216 million loan from China Exim Bank.
The airport was inaugurated in 2023 but has not seen international airline operations.
Corruption is prevalent in Nepal, with recent protests leading to the prime minister's resignation.
- Who
- 55 officials, including 5 former ministers, and China CAMC Engineering Co Ltd
- What
- Charged with corruption in the construction of Pokhara International Airport
- When
- Case filed on Sunday, details revealed on Tuesday
- Where
- Pokhara, Nepal
- Why
- Accused of inflating construction costs by over $74 million
- Number of Accused
- 55
- Including
- 5 former ministers, 1 Chinese company
- Project
- Pokhara International Airport
- Inflated Cost
- $74 million
- Original Estimate
- $170 million
- Final Cost
- $244 million
- Loan Source
- China Exim Bank
- Loan Amount
- $216 million