Taplejung, Oct. 7
Minister
for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai said Wednesday if
things went as desired, religious shrines would open from next weekend for
visitors.
The
government is planning to open the temples and religious sites for visit,
observation and pilgrimage starting Saturday, October 17.
"A
proposal to open the religious sites from next Saturday will be presented at
the Cabinet meeting," he told journalists at Suketar Airport in the
district. The Tourism Ministry is making preparation to table the proposal at
the Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
But the
religious sites can welcome the visitors only when the Cabinet endorses the
proposal. Otherwise, the current restriction measures will remain in place.
However,
the visitors and pilgrims must follow the health safety protocols and only a limited
number of people would be allowed in the temples.
According
to Minister Bhattarai, he had consulted with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli
regarding the proposal on Wednesday morning and the decision would depend on
the deliberations in the Cabinet.
If the
Cabinet endorsed the proposal, the safety protocols would be strictly
implemented, and the number of visitors would be limited. A new working
procedure would be formulated if required.
Minister
Bhattarai expressed hope that if things went well, tourists would begin to
visit the religious sites like Pathibhara soon.
Likewise,
he said that Nepal Airlines Corporation was preparing to operate flights to the
eastern district beginning October 17.
"Now
the flights will also be operated on the Biratnagar-Taplejung route in addition
to the existing Kathmandu-Taplejung route," he said. The regional flights
will help attract more tourists from the Terai as well as bordering Indian
cities.
Similarly,
the minister said that the government was closely monitoring the upgradation work
at Suketar Airport to ensure it completes within the stipulated time.
He said
the Tourism Ministry would ensure the availability of required budget for the
construction works.
Minister
Bhattarai was in the district to inaugurate a Border Outpost (BOP) in
Olangchungola.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 October 2020.
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