He showed keen interest in things from the very tiny to big construction projects and tenders that are under way at the only international airport in Nepal. [break]
Wherever Bhandari found any loophole and discrepancy he asked the officer concerned on the spot, "Why is this in such a sorry state?"
The minister said, "If you need stationary ask the agency concerned, don´t leave things so pathetic and out of maintenance." In the departure check-in area, Minister Bhandari found some chairs broken, the signboards of some airlines bare and the trolleys ill-managed. At the final check point right after immigration, the newly bought X-ray machine was not in operation.
When the minister asked the TIA officer concerned about the machine not being operational, the officer said it would be made operational after drilling through the marble for the power supply cable. The minister instantly ordered not to cut the marble but to place the power cable beneath the carpeting.
TIA management recently bought two X-ray machines for final security check for handbags and once these are operational the crowd at security check is expected to be reduced. Tourism entrepreneurs Bhola Bikram Thapa and Arjun Prasad Sharma complained about haggling for money by trolley loaders although use of trolleys is free of cost.
The minister addressed frequent complaints about delayed luggage after arrival and instructed TIA General Manager Dinesh Shrestha to monitor luggage delivery by different international airlines. The complaint is that international airlines have been delaying luggage for more than an hour after arrival.
There were also complaints that airport staff don´t wear their uniforms although distinct uniforms are provided for. The minister gave strong instructions to enforce the rule on uniforms.
Since TIA is an international transit point, reform of air transportation should start from here, Bhandari said. He also said that positive responses have started to come from around the globe on the successful inauguration of NTY 2011. "The only strategy for now is to move with a positive attitude."
Around 70 percent of tourists arriving in Nepal come through TIA.
Minister Bhandari inspected TIA accompanied by Nagendra Prasad Ghimire, Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Keshav Prasad Khanal, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Prachanda Man Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, TIA GM Shrestha, Sugat Ratna Kansakar, Chairman of Nepal Airlines Corporation, and a representative of tourism entrepreneurs.
Improvements and deadlines
GM Shrestha assured the minister that TIA would see major achievements after four months with the completion of work on runway overlay, apron expansion and the aircraft parking area for international flights. Shrestha informed the minister of the evaluation of tenders for construction of the Golden Gate at TIA for which Rs 11 million has been allocated. According to Shrestha, the entire construction of the gate would be completed before the end of the current fiscal year.
For better management and simplification of airport services TIA is going to start a Common Use Terminal (CUTE) system within six months. According to Shrestha, the financial evaluation of tenders has started and work on the system will begin within three months.
Short-term reform of arrival and departure at TIA would be completed within eight months, he said adding that construction of a conveyer belt would be completed. After inspecting TIA, Minister Bhandari told myrepublica.com that he would soon visit other domestic airports.
Screening VIP Baggage
Due to growing security concerns, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is to screen the baggage of VIPs. Before this, VIP baggage was not put through security screening.
| Infrastructure | Timeframe |
| 175 CCTV in whole area of TIA | 6 months |
| Car Park Area Construction | 6 months |
| VORD | Within 2 months |
| Common Use Terminal (CUTE system) | Within 6 months |
| Golden Gate | Within this fiscal year |
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