Refurbishment works at the Eastern airport in Saptari District; Rajbiraj Airport has been completed after a long time. The airport which halted its operation for almost three decades due to poor condition of the runway is preparing to resume its services as the construction works is almost at its ending phase.
Previously, the test flight was scheduled to be conducted today by Buddha Air but it didn’t happen as expected. Both Buddha Air and Shree Airlines have shown their interest in operating test flight at the airport. Official from Buddha Air said that they would conduct test flight after 10 days.
Rajbiraj Airport Project Engineer Ram Iqbal Mahato said that the work related to the terminal building is yet to be finished and will require one more week. He also added that the windsock will be installed at the airport shortly which is required for the test flight.
The airport was inaugurated in 1959 A.D. by NC leader Late Ganeshman Singh but it has already been around four years that the airport is out of the operation. Previously, the airport used to conduct Lamidanda-Rajbiraj and Phaplu-Rajbiraj flights. After the completion, Rajbiraj Airport will conduct flights in Kathmandu- Rajbiraj and Rajbiraj-Biratnagar route.
On October 2016, the CAAN awarded project to Raman Kanchha Ram Dev and Sayar JV Construction Company for the renovation and construction of the airport and the project was supposed to be accomplished in December 15, 2017 but the work was delayed due to flood, dense fog, and other reasons. As the company failed to complete the project by the stipulated time, the project was given an extra five months to finish. The total cost for the project was Rs303 million.
