Government is finally set to procure detailed project report (DPR) of the proposed second international airport Nijgadh airport from the Korean company Landmark Worldwide Company (LMW). Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) finally agreed on getting the DPR from the Korean company after 7 years of dispute on whether to buy it or not.
In 2011, LMW was given to prepare the DPR. Contract was made stating that if the construction of the airport is given to the company which prepared the DPR, then the cost of DPR should not be given however if the construction responsibility is given to other company then the cost of $35.5 million should be paid to the company.
The Korean company had asked for the amount with extra credit as the government hadn’t decided for last 7 year. Though the government has paid the actual amount of $35.5 million, they haven’t decided on giving compensation.
According to Air Safety department head Buddhi Sagar Lammichane, the government will pay the cost of $35.5million. The government was not able to start the project as they didn’t had the DPR.
The LMW had estimated the cost of construction of airport to be 355 billion. The airport is set to be completed in 3 parts and cost is expected to rise up-to Nrs670 billion. The airport will have 3600 meter long and 45 meter wide double runway which will be able to land all kind of wide body aircraft available in the market now.
Newly appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Rabindra Adhikari stated that the government will be initiating second international airport (SIA) project in Bara soon.
Addressing the area for constructing airport, Minister said that the government would decide only after understanding the local perception of transferring a settlement area for the construction of the airport.
The national pride project at Nijgadh, Bara comes after Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa. Construction of both the international airports at Pokhara and Bhairahawa have already been started however, the SIA is yet to be initiated.
