Dhankuta, February 18

A detailed project report has been prepared for construction of a mid-sized airport at Belhara of Dhankuta Municipality, Dhankuta.

The nearest airport near Dhankuta at present is Tumlingtar airport.

Lalitpur-based Realpath Engineering Consultant submitted the DPR to the Ministry of Tourism, and Civil Aviation. The consultant team had made a field study with the help of a drone last year and carried out survey of the topography in the first phase. Nepal Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Manager Nalbikram Thapa said the DPR was submitted to the ministry.

The DPR comprises information on runway, parking lot, terminal tower, staff quarters, fuel station, and security check post, among others. The work on environmental impact assessment has yet to start.

A team of engineers led by Mani Govind Shrestha of Civil Aviation Authority had studied the site and recommended it for airport construction earlier. The recommendation was approved by the Cabinet saying Dhankuta’s Belahara was a technically suitable site for airport.

Former Constituent Assembly member Hemraj Bhandari said construction could not start though the Cabinet had given its nod to construct

the airport in Belahara two years ago. According to Bhandari, around 50 families have to be relocated for airport construction.

Construction of the airport will make air travel of locals from Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Taplejung, and Panchthar easy and convenient.