BANKE: The construction of the new, modern terminal building at Ranjha Airport in Nepalgunj has been completed two months ahead of schedule.
According to Nal Bikram Thapa, Chief of the Ranjha Airport Terminal Building Project, the construction company began work in January 2023 with a three-year deadline extending to January 2025, but finished the project earlier than planned.
Thapa said the construction company will hand over the project within a few days, after which a technical inspection will be carried out by an expert team from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
“After the inspection, equipment including the X-ray machine from the old terminal will be shifted to the new building, and services are expected to begin within the next 15 days,” he said.
Built to international standards, the new terminal is suitable for both domestic and potential future international operations. The project cost Rs 2.74 billion (excluding VAT).
The three-storey terminal, including a semi-basement, covers an area of 5,750 square meters. The basement has been designed for commercial use, accommodating 24 shops. The terminal features 14 passenger check-in counters, three VIP lounges, a children’s play area, and separate customs and quarantine rooms.
In anticipation of future international flights, separate departure and arrival sections have been prepared for domestic and international passengers. The new terminal can handle up to 628 passengers per hour.
The premises include landscaped gardens and a 5- to 14-meter-wide internal pathway. A well-planned drainage system has also been installed to manage rain and wastewater.
Additionally, a new aircraft parking apron has been constructed with the capacity to accommodate three ATR-72 aircraft and five Twin Otter planes at a time, according to Project Chief Thapa.
Comment