Locals of Kotwada, Kalikot are disappointed as no flights have been operated for last 19 months. Locals were excited after a test flight was conducted at the Kotwada Airport last year but the commercial flight has not been able to start.
The Kotwada airport was reconstructed after 23 years and the respective authority had promised for the routine flight. Tara Air’s Twin Otter ‘9N-ABM’ successfully conducted its test flight on 11th February 2017 last year, however, the commercial operation is yet to start.
Kotwada area has not been connected by roadways so airways is the only the option but 19 months have passed, there have been no flight operations. This village is the most populated village in the district still, road infrastructure has not been established.
The district headquarters from the area requires 5 hours of walk and the lack in flight operation have directly been a problem for ill patients and other emergency cases. Locals have expressed their disappointment stating the problem to walk even though there is provision of airport.
The airport has some sad history as 36 workers constructing the airport were killed by army around 17 years back during the Maoist revolution and they were buried nearby the airport.
Kotwada Airport is located in Nararinath village and has been constructed to facilitate 5 VDCs of the district.
