BHAIRAHAWA: The construction of the physical infrastructures of the Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha International Airport has almost completed.

The only remaining works to be fixed include installing equipment and lights.

The airport, a national pride project, has seen 92 percent physical progress and 63 percent financial progress.

The airport would have come to its final preparation for operating commercial flights had there been no coronavirus pandemic.

The technical work of the project construction has been delayed due to COVID-19. According to Project Chief Prabesh Adhikari, technical work is challenging.

Even though most of the equipment have arrived, the challenge lies in importing technical human resource due to the absence of international flights.

The task of devising equipment inside the terminal building of the airport is yet to be done.

Fixing baggage handling, passenger security screening machine and Air Condition are still in the process.

Making public the annual progress report recently, Minster for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said the airport construction is gaining momentum and necessary efforts are underway to expedite remaining works in the airport.

The Nepal Airlines Corporation, the regulatory body of aviation sector, has said that the international airport would come into operation at the onset of 2021 AD.

(With inputs from RSS)