Dhangadhi, August 13:

Nepal Airlines Corporation has not resumed its flight to Chainpur, the district headquarters of Bajhang, for a week. The cancellation of flights has affected a large number of people.

Passengers have accused NAC of not operating flights despite favourable weather conditions. They have threatened to padlock the NAC office if regular flights were not resumed.

Rainfall has disrupted bus services to Chainpur. Buses ply only up to Sunkuda, the border between Bajhang and Baitadi districts. It takes two-and-a-half days to reach Chainpur from Sunkuda.

“I hope to board the flight to Chainpur, though I am on the waiting list for two weeks now,” said Afilal Okheda of Chainpur. Seventeen other people from Bajhang are on the list, awaiting their turn to board the plane.

Passengers on the waiting list have alleged NAC of delaying flights despite clear weather. A patient of Bajhang’s Daulichaur VDC, Dhauli Nepali, had to leave for her destination on foot on Monday. “I had brought my mother to Dhangadhi for treatment. Now, I am taking my mother back home on foot,” Kabita Nepali said. She lamented for having to spend around 20,000 hoping to get air tickets. The NAC used to operate Dhangadhi-Bajhang flight every Friday. However, the flight has not resumed since July 26.