Kathmandu, July 15

Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) has achieved 43 per cent physical progress so far.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the airport is likely to come into operation on schedule, as all the construction works are taking place simultaneously without any hurdles.

The work progress report mentions that 75 per cent of the total target set for physical progress of the project in this fiscal year’s policies and programmes has been achieved.

“Looking at the speed with which construction works are taking place, the PRIA will likely be completed within the set deadline.

We are sure to meet the completion deadline of July 2021,” said Pradip Adhikari, national pride project chief of CAAN.

As per him, construction of runway, taxiway and apron has been completed so far. Construction of runway strip area has started and construction of terminal building and control tower is ongoing.

Similarly, the concrete structure of the hangar has been completed, while construction of its steel structure is yet to begin. Along with this, construction of other buildings at the airport is underway.

Similarly, 90 per cent of land acquisition has already been completed and the remaining will also be completed in the near future, Adhikari said.

The Pokhara airport is being upgraded by the Chinese firm China CAMC Engineering Company. The project will cover around 4,000 ropanis of land at Chinnedanda in Pokhara. The airport will be able to handle aircraft like Boeing 757 and Airbus 320, which is expected to significantly ease the air traffic at Tribhuvan International Airport, the sole international airport in the country.

As Pokhara is a tourist hub of the country, the upgraded version of the PRIA is also expected to serve more aircraft and passenger movement.

Besides, the work progress report has also mentioned that construction of Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) and Nijgadh International Airport is going on smoothly. As per the report, construction of runway wearing course has been completed while 95 per cent of taxiway wearing course has been completed so far at GBIA. Similarly, administrative building and international terminal building is in the final phase.

Likewise, at the Nijgadh airport, 98 per cent of fencing and river training works has been completed towards physical progress, while around 26 per cent of compensation distribution has been completed till date.