RAJBIRAJ: The black topping work at the Rajbiraj Airport has started to gain momentum after the government set a final deadline for contractors to complete the work.

As per the earlier schedule, contractors Kancha Ram Construction and Rautahat Construction were designated to conclude the black topping of the airport by December 15, 2017.

The contractors had started black topping from November 23, 2016 but they had continuously failed to finish the work in time citing various reasons.

Now the government has set the last and final deadline, which has seen the constructors expediting the work to meet deadline by April 13 of this year.

Besides black topping the runway, contractors have also been asked to construct the fence around the airport.

Construction companies' site in-charge Suk Bahadur Tamang claimed that the multiple strikes and protests during Madhesh movement were the major reasons behind the delayed work.

"We could not transport the needed materials in time due to the strike which delayed black topping works. But now we are confident of finishing the work within 26 days," said Tamang.

The total contract cost of black topping at the airport is Rs 30.3 million. The runway at the airport is 1500 metre long, 30 metre wide while the apron has 90 meter length and 105 meter breadth. Likewise, the airport also has 20 meter long taxi parking zone.

According to Tamang, the graveling and sub-base works of the runway, apron and taxi parking zone have been completed but black topping is yet to be completed. "Around 40% work of black topping is left to finish but we will complete it by time and hand over the airport to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal," claimed Tamang.

The Rajbiraj Aiport, located in Bishnupur Rural Municipality near Rajbiraj, was inaugurated by the then Transport Minister Ganesh Man Singh in 2016 BS. The airport was in operation for sometime, however with frequent interruptions, but it has remained closed for a stretch since 2008 due to improper infrastructure.