Pokhara Airport Scandal: Chinese Builder Accused Of Inflating Bills As Nepal Uncovers "Scam"

Nepal’s Pokhara International Airport, once promoted as a symbol of modern aviation, is now at the centre of a massive corruption scandal. The country’s anti-graft body, CIAA, has charged 55 people including China CAMC Engineering, a Beijing-linked construction giant for alleged cost inflation, false billing and manipulation. The airport was approved at $145 million but soared to $286.5 million, with investigators saying China CAMC intentionally pushed up figures and pressured officials. Parliamentary findings show millions paid for soil, runway work, drainage and installations that were never completed. A controversial tax exemption added another blow. Despite being operational, design flaws restrict flights, leaving only one weekly international service. What was meant to lift Nepal has become a diplomatic flashpoint.