Nepalgunj. A modern terminal building has been constructed at Nepalgunj Airport in western Nepal. The building will be handed over to the Nepalgunj Airport Terminal Building Project within a few days.

Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Pradip Adhikari, while inspecting the under-construction terminal building at Nepalgunj Airport today, informed that works are underway to bring the terminal building into operation at the earliest. Stating that the construction of qualitative buildings compared to Pokhara, Bhairahawa and Tribhuvan International Airport, he expressed the belief that this would contribute to increase employment opportunities in Nepal.

Director General Adhikari said that discussions are underway between Nepal and India regarding flights from Nepalgunj airport, which is considered the biggest airport after Kathmandu, to Delhi, Lucknow. “It would be easier to operate international flights from the terminal building of Nepalgunj airport,” he said.

Stating that the international trade of aircraft and flights would not be sustainable if tourists coming to Nepal from rich countries visit the poor country by looking at the airport, he said that the modern terminal building has been constructed as per the need of the time.

According to Nal Bikram Thapa, manager of the Nepalgunj Airport Terminal Building Project, the contractor completed the construction work one and half months before the deadline. According to him, the total cost of the terminal building is Rs 2.98 billion. “The work is very satisfactory, all the works are of good quality and the work has been completed under the direct supervision of our engineers,” he said. ’

Ramesh Sharma, chairman and managing director of Sharma and Company, said that the construction of terminal building of TIA was completed two months ago so that it can also operate international flights. “There is a perception that contractors cannot complete their works on time,” he said.

The building with state-of-the-art technology and facilities has the capacity to serve 1,600 passengers per hour during peak hours. The construction company which started the construction work from Poush 2079 BS had expedited it with the aim of completing it in three years. The terminal building has three floors with a semi-basement. The basement of which has been built for commercial purposes.

The terminal building has 14 passenger checking counters, three VIP rooms, one children playing area and separate rooms for customs and quarantine checks.

A five-to-14-metre wide road has been constructed inside the new terminal building along with a garden. A proper drainage system has also been made on the periphery of the terminal building for drainage and drainage of excess water.