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Upgrading Biratnagar Airport Delayed as Federal Government Fails to Release Budget

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Upgrading Biratnagar Airport Delayed as Federal Government Fails to Release Budget
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January 3: The work of upgrading Biratnagar Airport to a regional airport has been delayed due to the failure on part of the federal government to release the allocated budget. The central government did not release the allocated budget of Rs 8 billion in the fiscal year 2077/78 for upgrading the airport. Due to this, Rs 7 billion to be released by the provincial government and Rs 2 billion by the Biratnagar Metropolitan City were withheld.

This is the reason why the compensation could not be distributed to the locals whose land has been held for acquisition for the last one and a half years. However, the government of Province 1 and the Biratnagar metropolis are now ready to release the allocated budget. Chief Minister Rajendra Rai and Mayor of the Biratnagar Metropolitan City Bhim Parajuli have reassured that the work of upgrading of Biratnagar Airport will commence after the provincial government and the metropolitan city release the budget.

Mayor Parajuli said that the Biratnagar Airport will not be relocated out the city under any circumstances. He added that the work of upgrading Biratnagar Airport into a regional airport will be carried out by allocating a budget of Rs 2 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.

Stating that the government has moved ahead with the plan as there is a need for a regional airport, CM Rai said that the state would allocate 40 percent of the budget after the federal government provides 50 percent of the budget. Regarding the inability of Province 1 to reap the expected benefits from the tourism sector despite having five mountains above 8,000 meters, Chief Minister Rai emphasized on the need to make Biratnagar Airport as the base for  of ‘mountain flight’.

 Mayor of the Biratnagar Metropolitan City, Parajuli expressed commitment that the Biratnagar Metropolitan City would provide 10 percent of the budget if the federal government releases 50 percent budget and the province allocates 40 percent of the budget.

Biratnagar Airport, established in 1958, is considered to be the oldest airport among the domestic airports. A master plan has been prepared to expand the airport which is 1,500 meters long and 20 meters wide and make it 3,000 meters long and 30 meters wide.

 

 

 

 

 

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