Home / Crime and Justice / Nepal Charges 55 in Airport Graft Scandal
Nepal Charges 55 in Airport Graft Scandal
8 Dec
Summary
- 55 individuals charged, including five former ministers, over airport costs.
- China CAMC Engineering accused of inflating construction costs by $75 million.
- Airport loan repayment jeopardized as international flights remain absent.
Nepal has formally charged 55 individuals, including five former government ministers, with corruption. The accusations center on the inflated construction costs of the Pokhara International Airport, a project undertaken by China CAMC Engineering. Authorities allege that executives from the Chinese state-owned company colluded with Nepali politicians and bureaucrats to overstate the project's expenses by $75 million.
The charges stem from a monthslong investigation that corroborated earlier reports of cost inflation and compromised quality control by China CAMC Engineering. This airport, considered a key project under China's Belt and Road Initiative, has become a symbol of the potential pitfalls of heavily relying on Chinese financing for infrastructure. The airport's financial viability is questionable, as projected international flights have not commenced, hindering loan repayment.
