Gautam Buddha Airport unlikely to start operations by March

Published On: February 8, 2020 11:05 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Feb 8: The Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) is unlikely to begin operation by March as the project is yet to install equipment necessary for the operation of the airport.

Though the project has acquired 85.5% physical progress under international competitive bidding (ICB)-01 and approximately 50% progress rate for ICB-02, the communication, navigation and surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM), and meteorological equipment necessary for the operation of the airport are yet to be installed. Prabesh Adhikari, the project chief of GBIA said that the work of phase II has already started and the foundation for installation of equipment are being prepared.

However, some officials think that the operation of the airport by March is hardly possible as most of the technical work is yet to be completed. “There is a high chance that the project will not come into operation by the given time as the installation is a hard work,” an official said seeking anonymity.

The outbreak of coronavirus in China will have an impact on the arrival of the technical team needed to install the necessary equipment. “If the suspension of flights to and from China continues for a long time, the team we are expecting for some ICB-02 works will arrive late,” said Adhikari.

A team from China needs to arrive at the site for the installation of baggage handling system and lighting in the runway and taxiway. “The teams from the country where equipment are ordered install them,” he told Republica, “The technical team has not been able to come to Nepal because of the virus outbreak in China.”

He fears that if the problem persists for a long period of time, the project will not completed on time. He said that the project had set aside 1.5 months for the installation of the equipment. According to the project, all the equipment have already arrived at the site.

The construction work of the project has been categorized into two packages- (ICB)- 01 and ICB- 02. Construction of airside and landside infrastructures and other facilities at GBIA falls under ICB- 01. Supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of equipment and other related goods and services for GBIA have been tasked under ICB- 02. According to Pradeep Adhikari, the National Pride Project head, the construction of runway, taxiway and apron have been completed whereas construction of the terminal building and control tower, installation and finishing works are in progress.

Located 20 kilometers away from Lumbini, a popular tourist destination for Buddhists, the operation of the international airport is expected to cater to religious tourist and increase the inflow of international tourist to Nepal. The government has already announced that it will provide incentives to international airlines willing to operate at GBIA.

The deadline of the project was extended to March 31, 2020, after it failed to complete the construction work by December 2019. The project was originally scheduled to be completed in December 2017.