Rajbiraj, May 31

Work on upgrading Rajbiraj Airport remains halted due to unseasonal rainfall in Saptari. Accomplishing the upgradation work by mid-June seems unlikely.

Contractors had begun upgradation of the airstrip six months ago.

Site engineer Barun Kumar KC of the contractor company said they had aimed to black-top the runway by the second week of June.

“We could not operate in full swing due to frequent rainfall,” he said. The weather did not favour completion of the work on time.

KC said that the work have been disrupted by rainfall and storms. “We also stopped the work due to various bandhs in the Tarai,” he added.

However, they have been trying their best to accomplish the work within the stipulated date. “Double layer base work is being carried out for the 1500-metre long runway at present,” KC informed.

It is learnt that the airport management awarded the contract worth Rs 26 crore for construction of the runway to Kanchharam, Raman and Dev and Sayar JV.