The ongoing efforts to upgrade Bharatpur Airport have experienced considerable setbacks, with only 40% of the work completed in the past two years. Project Chief Chandramani Sapkota acknowledged that the progress has not met the initial expectations. While the first floor of the new two-story terminal building has been finished, the construction of the seven-story control tower has seen only five stories completed. Despite these partial advancements, much remains to be done.
Sapkota explained that delays were primarily due to the slow dismantling of the Shivani Flying School hangar, which has impeded construction. Furthermore, physical progress stands at just 40% of the total work expected to be completed in the past two years, and financial progress is even more concerning, at a mere 16%.
The construction project, which was officially launched on March 30, 2023, by then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, aimed for a completion within three years. The project is being carried out by the KC-Kshamadevi-Prashtha JV under a contract worth Rs 1.927 billion.
One of the significant holdups is the extension of the airport’s runway, which has not been completed due to delays in the relocation of the Nepali Army’s horse breeding center. To facilitate this move, the government has provided 50 ropanis of land and allocated a budget of Rs 250 million for the current year.
The Army is currently preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the relocation. Once the horse breeding center is relocated, the Army will hand over 22 ropanis of land to Bharatpur Airport, enabling the runway extension, which will increase the airport’s runway from 1,200 meters to 1,700 meters.
With the slow pace of progress, it remains uncertain whether the project will meet its original timeline, raising concerns about the long-term development of the airport and its impact on regional connectivity.
