Construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport is being paced up so as to complete the work prior to the expected scheduled date of completion. Currently, more than 22% of the physical work of the airport has been accomplished.
The constructor company has aimed to complete the work of airfield that includes work of runway, taxiway, parking bay etc. within current fiscal year (by June 2019) stated airport project head.
The parking bay of the airport is expected to be constructed within this month that will accommodate 3 Airbus 320 or Boeing 737/757 and 4 ATR 72 and 4 Twin Otter aircraft. The work of Runway and Taxiway is expected to be completed by April/May this year and the work has been carried out simultaneously.
Similarly, for the construction of the hanger and terminal building, foundation has been laid and the process to add concrete has been going on. Along with that, setting up of lights required for the flight will also be completed by 2020 stated project head.
The government had given contract of construction project to the Chinese company CAMC Engineering on 12 of May, 2014. As per the agreement, the CAMCE has taken the contract to construct the airport in the EPC model and was given time up to 2021 July 10 which is now expected to come into operation 6 months prior.
If the construction of the airport completes 6 months prior, the remaining time will be used to develop immigration, custom etc.
If the work is not completed by the actual deadline, the company has to pay compensation.
The construction project of the international airport was started with loan assistance of 22 billion from Exim Bank of China and is projected to complete within 10th July 2021. The project will also receive some grant from Chinese side.
The airport runway will be 2500 meter long and 45 meters wide and the work is being carried out in fast pace stated the project head. More than 22% of the work has been completed.
Construction of Pokhara International Airport (at Chinnedanda-3 km to the east of Pokhara’s present domestic airport) was inaugurated with placing foundation stone by then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on April 13, 2016.
The new airport is intended to provide regional, domestic and international passengers with additional flight services over the current airport to encourage tourism in the Pokhara region, which is one of the popular tourist destinations in Nepal along with to minimize air traffic prevailing at country’s sole international airport Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
