Nepal's Anti-Corruption Body Cites Major Flaws at China-Built Airport

Nepal’s main anti-corruption agency has found serious deficiencies in the construction and financial management of a China-funded international airport. The report follows a youth-led online protest campaign that demanded an investigation into the $216 million project. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) submitted its findings to the government this week. It identified problems with the airport's construction quality, financial irregularities, and a lack of proper feasibility studies. The airport in Pokhara, a popular tourist destination, opened in January 2023 but has attracted few international flights. The project was largely funded by loans from China. Nepali officials had initially expected grants. The report now urges the government to review the loan terms and address the construction flaws. Public scrutiny of the airport intensified in April. A social media campaign, led by young activists using the hashtag #PokharaInternationalAirport, called for a probe. This online movement pressured authorities to examine the project's high cost and alleged mismanagement.