Nepal Now / News / Archive 2016
Expansion plans approved for Gautam Buddha Regional International Airport in Bhairahawa
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Banner Photo credit: The Kathmandu Post
The Cabinet has approved Tourism Ministry’s proposal to acquire an additional 46.24 hectares of land for the expansion of Gautam Buddha Regional International Airport in Bhairahawa. The proposed plan is worth around Rs 9.74 billion.
With the approval in place, the government will now initiate the survey for said land acquisition. It is hoped that the added space will accommodate a radar station, security base and runway to avoid any congestion at the international airport. This adds to the 22.47 hectares of approved land acquisition back in January for the airport. Distribution of compensation to the land owners of the first phase is currently underway.
The planned international airport will have a 3000 m runway and a total of 114.79 hectares of land. Construction will be completed by 2017 and the airport will serve an estimated 760,000 passengers annually.
Asian Development Bank has provided $58.50 million ($42.75 in loans and $15.75 million in grants), the Opec Fund for International Development has pledged a $15 million in loan and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) will bear the remaining costs for the project.