Kathmandu, May 27: The Society of Lumbini organised an interaction programme on “Lumbini and International Airport” here this afternoon.

At the function former minister and NC lawmaker Duryodhan Singh Tharu, who represents Rupandehi constituency No.1 at the Lower House said that such interaction programmes were vital in realising the needs and the possibilities of the districts and help further make policies and programmes for the government.

“Lumbini is one of the most suitable places for the international airport which the country is in dire need since the Tribhuvan International Airport has been comparatively very small and lacked technical facilities,” Tharu said.

Highlighting Lumbini area as one of the emerging tourist destinations, former member secretary of the Lumbini Development Fund, Bimal Kumar Sharma said that the place was very much suitable for the international airport. “The development of Lumbini area would not only help develop the particular place but the country as a whole since it is the birth place of Lord Buddha and that many Buddhists from around the world may visit the holy place.”

Agreeing to what MP Tharu had said, director of personal department of the Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation Krishna Bahadur Poudel added, “Not only RNAC but almost all the International flight careers have been facing a great problem from TIA and that the trend of cancelling the flights to and from Kathmandu is increasing. If an international airport is made in an open place like Lumbini that could be very good for the country.

Dr. Hari Bahadur Karki chaired the function.The meeting nominated Dr. Thapa as the coordinator of the Society. The Society is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister to apprise him of the viability of Lumbini area as a suitable place for an international airport.