The foundation stone for the construction of an aviation fuel depot at the Pokhara International Airport complex has been laid. Nepal Oil Corporation started the construction of the depot, 6 months after the airport came into operation. Industry, Commerce and Supply Minister Ramesh Rizal laid the foundation stone of the depot.

Its construction is expected to be completed within a year. A construction contract for Rs 77 crore has been signed. A vertical depot of 3600 kiloliters is going to be made in three units of 1200 kiloliter capacity each.

Religare Construction and Paramount in collaboration with Indian company BHN have been signed with the contract for the construction of the depot. Six months ago, an agreement was signed between the construction company and the oil corporation that the work would be completed within two years. Shah said that although the company has a year and a half time left, they have promised to complete it within a year. The Corporation has leased the land at Pokhara Airport from the Civil Aviation Authority to build the fuel depot.

On June 21, Sichuan Airlines had a chartered flight from Chengdu, China, to the airport which was inaugurated with domestic flights on January 1st. Sichuan's narrowbody A-319 landing is the airport's only international flight so far. Regular international flights from the airport are not yet confirmed.

Depot Oil Corporation will own the depot will increase consumption once international flights start. Sridhar Lamichhane, Spokesperson of Oil Corporation Pokhara says. Nepal Oil Corporation has a storage center at Gagangonda in Kaski to supply fuel according to the demand of various districts of Gandaki province.