Gokulesor airport is still out of operation since for more than two and half decades and now has been eventually turned into grazing field. Most of the airports in Far-west region are now coming into operation but the Gokulesor airport located in Darchula is still waiting for renovation and coming back into operation.
The airport was listed as a danger zone around a year back by the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAAN) technician and officials after they conducted on the spot test at the airport. Budget for bringing the airport in operation had also been allocated but conclusion of the test by the CAAN team has stranded airport behind operation.
Officials of local VDC stated a fake news about the airport being near to neighboring country India was reported that created interruption on the work. But the other airports in the same region i.e. Sanfebagar airport in Achham is in operation without interruption and airport in Baitadi and Doti are undergoing runway blacktopping work.
A member of parliament requested CAAN technicians and officials to inspect the airport after Tihar festival and he stated that work to bring the airport in operation is going on. The airport which operated till 2050 B.S (1993 AD) was closed after Maoist conflict during the insurgency complications and is still out of operation till date.
Due to the closure of the airport, infrastructure of the airport like runway has been degrading and the airport premises has been changed into abandoned grazing spot. Locals have been facing problems as the airport could be game changer for the district. The re-operation of the airport can bring social, economical and a lot of other improvements in the rural society of the region.
