BHAIRAHAWA : The ongoing physical infrastructure construction of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport, a national pride project, is almost completed. The only works remaining include installing lights and equipment.
With this, the airport has witnessed a 92 percent physical progress and 63 percent financial progress. Had there not been a COVID-19 pandemic, the airport would have been ready to operate commercial flights.
The technical works of the project construction had been delayed due to COVID-19, however, other physical works were not stalled during the lockdown. Project Chief of the International Airport Prabesh Adhikari said that the technical works have been challenging. Alhough most of the equipment has arrived, the challenge lies in importing technical human resources from abroad, he added.
The task of devising equipment inside the terminal building of the airport is yet to be done. Fixing baggage handling, passenger security screening machine and Air Condition are still in the process, too.
Recently, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai had said that the airport construction is gaining momentum and necessary efforts are underway to expedite remaining works. The Nepal Airlines Corporation, the regulatory body of the aviation sector, has said that the international airport would be in operation at the onset of 2021.
