The blacktopping project of Sanphebagar Airport is at its final phase as the contractor company has committed to complete within one month. The airport situated at Sanphebagar in the Achham District of the Seti Zone has been out of operation since 2058 years.
The work was expected to complete in Chaitra 9 however, it was delayed. Amar construction had taken the blacktopping project to complete within one year. Three months had been added after the delay and the contractor now has informed to complete the work within one month.
Balgiri Kunwar, Vice President of the VDC stated that by the time the airport was not operational, many pregnant women and other patients had to lose their lives. He also informed to bring the airport into operation soon.
Both airport of Achham district in Sanphebagar and Kamal Bazar is out of operation. Demolition of Airport tower in Maoist attack in 2058 BS was the main reason behind the closure though the airport was in operation till 2062 BS. The airport was only the means of air transport in this region as it had been providing service for emergency purpose.
Locals stated that the airport could access the tourists to the tourism destination in Ramarshan, Vaidyanath, Bunigadi and Badimalika of Panchdeval Bajura and Khaptad area. The airport in the region is also expected to boost the economy. Moreover, the airfield could also serve the nearby Bayalpata Hospital which caters to the medical needs of patients from six surrounding districts. Currently, driving from Dhangadhi is the fastest way to reach Sanfebagar from the East-West Highway which takes about eight hours non-stop.
Sanfebagar Airport is located at an elevation of 1955 ft above mean sea level. The airport previously possessed a single earthen runway of a length of 517 meters (1,700 ft) and 30 meters wide aligned to 030 degrees and 210 degrees. The airport can accommodate the STOL single engine aircraft like Cessna Grand Caravan C208, etc.
