Dipayal airport located at Doti which has been out of operation for long period is preparing for blacktopping project.
The government has started the blacktopping of Doti airport with budget of Rs.80 million under initiative of a member of National Representative Council, Prem Bahadur Ale magar.
The blacktopping project has started with contract agreement to complete work within 24 months. During Maoist revolution, the airport halted its daily operation and from 2062 BS it was fully closed.
The project is awarded to Sapra Gyalba JB Construction Company for Rs 6.8 crores and expected to complete by Asar, 2075. The construction company has strengthened the pace of the work.
According to the company official, Harka Bahadur Shah, cutting and filling work have finished and the blacktopping work will be started soon after the completing the base work. He also informed that the base work is at the final phase and the blacktopping work will be started within a few days.
Dipayal Airport was established 12 years ago and is the oldest in the entire far-west region. After services at the airport were disrupted citing ‘temporary halt’, the airport has yet to resume operation, except for when ministers fly here.
Citizens from Doti, Dadeldhura, Achham and Bajura are expected to receive services from the airport after it comes into operation. Also tourist number is expected to be increased afterwards.
