Biratnagar, December 12
The federal government has allocated Rs 10 million to upgrade the Biratnagar Airport in Morang district. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has allocated the fund to acquire land for the airport extension.
The airport administration has been told to acquire the land necessary for the extension by utilising the amount within this fiscal year (before mid-July 2020).
Meanwhile, the airport administration has complained that the budget is too low and it lacks a master plan on how to utilise it. Hence, the project is unlikely to move forward anytime soon.
Earlier, it had been estimated that land acquisition would require more than Rs 3 billion. A detailed project report has already been prepared to extend the airport by 1,000 metres in length. The government is yet to approve the DPR.
“The allocated amount is peanuts considering our need. We have asked to allocate more budget and assign a focal person,” says the airport chief Tek Nath Sitaula.
