KATHMANDU, August 12: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pande, met with Defense Minister Manbir Rai and Acting Chief of the Nepalese Army, Ashok Sigdel, on Sunday to discuss aviation safety concerns.

During the meeting at the ministry, the three focused on the training and management of aviation safety within the Nepalese Army and explored ways to replicate best practices. The Nepalese Army proposed installing ultramodern technology for early weather warnings to reduce air accidents, highlighting the challenges posed by Nepal's geographical diversity and erratic weather patterns.

The discussion was prompted by two recent air accidents that occurred within a span of two weeks. Minister Pande's secretariat revealed that he was advised to form a joint committee with representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the Nepalese Army for regular discussions, studies, research, and monitoring.

Minister Pande praised the Nepalese Army's air services but emphasized the importance of ensuring safety in civil aviation as well. Nepalese Army officials noted that while laws and systems for flight security exist, their implementation requires more attention. They also shared that the army has its own air safety guidelines. -- RSS