Rajbiraj, February 6 Chair of Women, Children, Elderly Citizens and Social Welfare Committee of the Parliament Ranju Kumari Jha today inspected Rajbiraj airport and directed concerned authority to finish the upgradation of the airport’s runway on time. Jha accompanied by a team of technicians had reached the airport to inspect progress on the runway repair project today. She directed the staffers of Kanchharam Construction, the contractor company, to complete the repair work on time without compromising on quality. Rajbiraj airport is one of the oldest airports in the country, but remains persistently closed due to lack of repair. The airport had been closed since 2002, December 16 citing technical reasons. Various airlines have expressed reluctance to operate flights to the airport, saying its runway was rough. Meanwhile, senior engineer at the company Mani Govinda Shrestha said they were working in full swing to accomplish the work on time. The repair work is supposed to be completed by mid-November.  He said the runway repair was estimated to cost Rs 250 million. “The topsoil cutting and sub-grade works are under way,” Shrestha informed. He said black-topping of the runway will be carried out after the completion of sub-base and base construction. Rajbiraj locals, meanwhile, are hopeful that development activities in the district will gain momentum after the airport comes into operation. The airport was inaugurated by then transport minister Ganesh Man Singh in 1959. A local social worker Rudra Narayan Singh had donated 50 bigaha land to Rajbiraj Airport. ‘Joint efforts needed to complete projects’ RAJBIRAJ: Madheshi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic Vice-chairperson Jitendra Narayan Dev has expressed concern about delay in completion of projects in Saptari. Speaking at a press conference in Rajbiraj on Monday, Dev stressed on collective effort to complete the projects. “There are a number of India-funded projects in the district. However, India has not approved new projects due to delay in completion of old projects,” said Dev. On a different note, the Madhes-based leader stressed on amending the constitution. “Elections are necessary to end the transition, but the constitution should be amended first,” he said. He also said his party was ready to join the government to resolve the national crisis.