DHARAN: For four decades, the residents of Sunsari-Dharan have harbored dreams of a swift airport in their hometown.

However, recent developments confirm that this longstanding aspiration will remain unfulfilled indefinitely.

The study team appointed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to assess the feasibility of constructing and operating an airport in Dharan is on the verge of submitting a report based on an earlier assessment.

This report, expected to be presented soon, will lay to rest the hopes of Dharan residents for an airport.

Mayor of Dharan, Harka Rai recently penned a letter to Tourism Minister Sudan Kiranti, urging the advancement of the airport construction process in Dandaghopa, Dharan-17.

Minister Kiranti subsequently instructed the CAAN to conduct a feasibility study, assigning Managing Engineer Nal Bikram Thapa, Senior Legal Officer Bimal Khanal, and Chartered Accountant Anil Basnet to the task.

The study team’s findings indicate the need for a substantial land area, approximately 93 bighas, which is thirteen times more than the current available space of 7 bighas.

The air distance between Dharan and Biratnagar is a mere 16 nautical miles. As per Aviation Policy 2077, it is stipulated that proposed airports should be situated at a distance of 20 nautical miles from the nearest airport in mountainous areas and 40 nautical miles in Terai and interior Madhesh.

Expressing concerns over the significant financial investment required, a team member emphasized the state’s inability to allocate vast funds for the airport’s construction, questioning the potential benefits to the state from Dharan’s airport.

The team is poised to submit its report to the Director-General, Pradeep Adhikari, this week, marking a potential turning point in the airport saga.

It is anticipated that the report will declare the project commercially unsuitable for constructing an airport in Dharan, signaling the probable end of the prolonged endeavor.

Despite efforts to modify the proposal to accommodate a one-way runway for small capacity aircraft, sources reveal that the report will emphasize the impracticality of operating such an airport.

The study team contends that, according to Aviation Policy 2063 BS, a new airport should be at least 40 nautical miles away from the nearest existing airport in the Terai region.

As Dharan falls short of this requirement, the committee concludes that building an airport in Dharan contradicts the established air policy.

A committee member hinted at the report’s nuanced language, suggesting that while it might acknowledge the possibility of forced construction, it will caution against potential legal consequences, particularly if the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) intervenes.

In the intricate preparation of the report, the team plans to reference the Government of Nepal’s Aviation Policy 2063, highlighting the expectation for the local government to provide land without charge, the requirement for the airport to operate at a profit, and the state’s commitment.

These terms will serve as a basis for the committee’s ultimate conclusion that an airport in Dharan is not feasible.

The expenditure of Rs 15 crores has already been exhausted in the preliminary study itself.

Dharan Airport has become a recurring focal point in the political discourse, with various political parties and the government incorporating it into their election agendas.

For three decades, political parties have capitalized on the promise of constructing an airport in Dharan, making it a prominent feature in their manifestos during every election.

Experts from the aviation authority have consistently emphasized that Dharan is merely 39 km away from the Biratnagar Airport when considering technical aspects.

Local demands include the return of 6 bighas of land occupied by Yeti Incorporated. The Dharan local government, struggling to generate even 25 million rupees from internal revenue sources, finds itself unable to meet the Authority’s demand for 93 bighas of land in Dadanghopa, where land prices have surged from 1.5 million to 3 million rupees annually.

The air distance between Dharan and Biratnagar is a mere 16 nautical miles. As per Aviation Policy 2077, it is stipulated that proposed airports should be situated at a distance of 20 nautical miles from the nearest airport in mountainous areas and 40 nautical miles in Terai and interior Madhesh.

The sudden push by Minister Kiranti and Dharan Mayor Sampang for an additional airport, contrary to established air policy, raises questions.

Why advocate for another airport when the existing one is not operating at full capacity?

Moreover, the redeployment of the feasibility study team, incurring government expenses, adds to the perplexity surrounding this decision.

Critics argue that Minister Kiranti and Mayor Sampang made no substantial progress in the recent discussions.

Furthermore, the CAAN has previously expended over 15 million rupees on surveys and feasibility studies, employing techniques such as drone surveys.

In response to the demand for a Dharan-based airport, the Authority had completed all studies for a 42-seater aircraft in 2007, even releasing the design.

However, challenges arose regarding the required land. Despite the authority’s insistence on the provision of 93 bighas of land, both the land owned by Yeti Incorporated and the 7 bighas owned by Dharan sub-metropolis were deemed insufficient.

The Authority, emphasizing that a minimum of 72-seater aircraft is needed due to the scarcity of smaller aircraft in Nepal, disclosed its policy to construct airports only in areas where such larger aircraft are viable.

Currently, out of 54 airports in the country, 22 remain non-operational, yet the government is contemplating the addition of a new airport.

Local demands include the return of 6 bighas of land occupied by Yeti Incorporated. The Dharan local government, struggling to generate even 25 million rupees from internal revenue sources, finds itself unable to meet the Authority’s demand for 93 bighas of land in Dadanghopa, where land prices have surged from 1.5 million to 3 million rupees annually.

Notably, Yeti Incorporated Pvt Ltd, chaired by Angchiring Sherpa at the time, acquired 6 square meters of land from 29 local landowners at prices ranging from 28,000 to 32,000 rupees for the construction of an airport in the same location.

Under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, Yeti acquired the land two decades ago during the tenure of then-Mayor Kumar Bahadur Karki, responding to the heightened demand for an airport in Dharan from the local populace.

The joint decision of the Dharan Municipality and Yeti, based on survey findings, asserted that 60 percent of passengers using the Biratnagar Airport originated from Dharan.

Considering geographical and environmental factors, the conclusion was drawn that an airport in Dharan would be more suitable than Biratnagar.

Should the government opt to enforce airport construction, the land must be acquired by the government through the authority or Dharan sub-metropolitan city, compensating the landowners at the current market value.

In support of this claim, the municipality also consented to provide 7 bigas of land it owned to Yeti. In line with this understanding, local residents voluntarily sold the land in Dandaghopa to Yeti at prices ranging from 28,000 to 32,000 rupees.

Before finalizing the land transaction, a formal agreement was reached between local residents and Yeti, stipulating that if Yeti failed to construct the airport, the land must be returned to the original landowners at the initial purchase price.

With no imminent plans for airport construction, local landowners are now urging the return of the land at the original price, citing the ethical commitment made in the agreement.

Over the past two decades, the value of the land purchased for 28,000 rupees has escalated to 2.5 lakh rupees to 3 lakh rupees. Yeti still retains ownership of the 6 bigas acquired from local residents.

Should the government opt to enforce airport construction, the land must be acquired by the government through the authority or Dharan sub-metropolitan city, compensating the landowners at the current market value.

If the airport project does not materialize, the land is expected to be returned to the locals at the original price.

Aware of the potential for the land to become a bargaining tool, local residents are now advocating for the construction of the airport, followed by the return of the land at the initial price.