KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed happiness over the ongoing construction works of the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) at Chhinedanda, Pokhara Metropolitan City-14.

PM Deuba said this in his brief remarks after inspecting the under-construction airport, a national pride project. He said he was happy that the airport construction has been continued even during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Prime Minister stated that the government would facilitate in going ahead with the works of cutting the Riththepani hillock located to the southern side of the airport which stands as a problem in the operation of the airport. “I am happy over the physical progress of the airport and the government will facilitate in cutting the hillock,” he added.

Pokhara Regional International Airport Project (PRIAP) Director Pradeep Adhikari had briefed the PM on the physical progress of the airport so far and the problems encountered in course of the construction. As he said, so far 85 percent of the construction works of the airport have been completed. The airport construction project should have been completed last July as per the previous agreement but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief of PRIAP Binesh Munakarmi said preparations have been made to complete all the remaining works and bring the airport into operation within a year, the extended time for the project. The construction of the 2,500 meters long runway of the airport was completed last year itself.

Fourteen structures including the terminal building, ATC tower, hangar and others have already been constructed and works like installing electrical and equipment as well as beautification are underway at present. Likewise, the construction of structures as taxiway, hangar, apron, parking etc. has been completed. Construction of the roadway leading to the main gate of the airport has been completed and street lamps have been installed. For the project, 3,100 ropani lands at Chhinedanda have been acquired in 2031.

During his inspection, PM Deuba’s attention was drawn to problems and a delay in the construction of soil erosion at Ritthepani, a landfill site and a depot for the Nepal Oil Corporation, said the project chief Munkarmi.