Kathmandu, Sept. 16 -- The Tourism Ministry has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to select a consultant to prepare an 'updated' master plan for the proposed Nijgadh International Airport, indicating that it doubts potential builder Zurich Airport International AG will come up with a business plan as promised, officials privy to the matter said.

The move comes on the heels of a directive given by a high-level government panel to the Investment Board Nepal to confirm the final investment decision with the Swiss firm by September 30.

Producing another master plan will put an 'unnecessary' financial burden on the government running into millions, according to at least four retired and incumbent officials at the country's civil...