KATHMANDU: The Cabinet meeting has given approval to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) for land acquisition to expand Surkhet and Biratnagar airports
. Based on the proposal of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, it has been agreed to acquire 30 bighasof land to expand the capacity of Surkhet Airport and 126.46 bighas to expand the capacity of Biratnagar Airport.
An agreement had been reached between the federal and provincial governments and the local level in September to expand and upgrade these two airports. There are plans to fly all types of large aircraft used in the domestic sector to Surkhet Airport after it has been upgraded.
An agreement has been reached between the federal government and the Karnali provincial government for the expansion of Surkhet Airport under the cost-sharing concept.
As per plans, after land has been acquired the runway will be expanded and the terminal building will also be constructed along with other necessary construction works.
As per the agreement, the runway of the airport will be extended to 1,500 meters. The state government will bear 50 percent of the cost of land acquisition. It has been agreed that 50 percent of the amount will be borne by the central government.
Similarly, all three levels of the government have agreed to upgrade Biratnagar Airport to international standard.
In this partnership, Biratnagar Municipal Corporation will also share the cost of upgrading the airport. The central government will bear 50 percent of the total cost of land acquisition.
Of the remaining 50 percent, 10 percent will be borne by the metropolitan government and 40 percent by the state government.