The construction of Pokhara Regional International Airport is 93 per cent complete. Vinesh Munkarmi, head of the airport construction project, said, "We aim to test the flight in April. The work is moving forward to be handed over in June. "
He informed that the regional international airport, which is being constructed within the standards of IInternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and will start with domestic flights in the first phase and then coordinate and cooperate for international flights. He said that there are currently only three air routes to Pokhara from Simara, Birgunj and China.
Although the construction of the airport has reached its final stage, some infrastructure, security and standards have not been met yet. The landfill site is about two kilometers from the airport. He said that managing garbage near the airport would attract birds and increase the risk of flight and landing due to birds. He said, "We have requested the Pokhara Metropolitan Citynot to dump garbage there from next April."
Pokhara is looking for land for a new landfill site. And on the other hand, about Rs 350 million has been spent for flood control so far.
The construction work of 14 buildings including the terminal building, tower, office building and cargo building with a capacity of 650 seats has been completed. So far, the airport has been built in Pokhara with a capacity of 150 to 200 seats. The airport, which is being built with the loan of Rs 22 billion from the Chinese government, could not be completed on time due to COVID pandemic.
Gandaki Chief Minister Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel has shown special interest in speedy operation of the airport.
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