Kathmandu, December 9
Last Saturday, Civil Aviation Minister Yogesh Bhattarai instructed officials and contractors to complete the remaining construction works of Bhairahawa-based Gautam Buddha international Airport within 25 days, that is, by December 31. But, officials following the progress there say the target is unattainable.
The minister has been reported the project completed 93 per cent of the works by Saturday, 26 days before the set deadline, which itself was revised at least six times. In the previous update on July 3, the minister was told that 91 per cent of the works were complete.
It means the project accomplished just two per cent progress in the five months, hence, completing the remaining seven per cent works is next 26 days to impossible.
Raj Kumar Chhetri, deputy director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, says the task of installing various equipment at the airport has been stalled for the want of skilled workers in Nepal. Contractors have been unable to bring the previously employed workers from China and Thailand.
Even if the workers are in place today, the remaining task will take more than three months, according to him.
Preparing infrastructures is not the only requirement of the airport operation. Security agencies, immigration and customs departments have to establish their offices as it will be an international airport. Managing human resources for them also takes time.
The construction works had begun on December 21, 2014.
