Bajhang airport which has been closed for around a decade is finally getting blacktopped as Civil Aviation Authority has called for tender following the pressure of locals. The tender process is due to be completed in 2 weeks.
The authority director said that the black topping will be completed in 2 years and will then be able to operate flights from different domestic airlines. Most airlines tend not to operate at the airport as there is huge risk while landing and taking off and after blacktopping they are hopeful of operating daily flights.
Locals, tourism businessmen, chamber of commerce and industry officials are positive towards blacktopping of the airport and believe that it will be profitable in the district. Peoples and travelers use long and risky roadways to visit and complain about transportation facility and some even cancel their plans.
The airport was constructed in 2035 and Nepal Airlines (then-Royal Nepal Airlines) used to conduct weekly flight. In 2065 the service was closed and in 2066 Nepal Airlines closed its office situated in district headquarters. Airline operating Bajhang-Nepalgunj route said they have closed service due to gradual decrease in passengers’ traffic. Airlines Companies have shown possibility of Dhangadhi-Bajhang route flight but lack of parking facility of aircraft at Dhangadi airport have not made it possible.
Airport officials are shifted to other place by CAAN after it couldn’t operate and now the airport has been transformed to grazing place and play ground while the glass panels of window and door of tower which was constructed some years back has been broken.
During monsoon, landslides block the highway and patient and passenger face difficulty and some patient even die due to delay.
