SURKHET, Feb 20: The government has started making preparations for the expansion of the Surkhet Airport. The airport is being prepared for expansion by acquiring 12.43 bighas of land to the north of the current airport. The length of the current runway of the airport is 1,255 meters. The government is preparing to increase the length to 1,555 meters after the completion of the expansion. 

Chief Minister Jeevan Bahadur Shahi of Karnali Province stressed that there is no other option but to upgrade the airport. “The government is preparing to expand the airport by providing fair compensation to the citizens of the affected areas and connecting the province to other states via airway,” Minister Shahi said. 

After the completion of the upgrade, the airport can allow landing and take-off for a 70-80 seater (Yeti Air) airliner and conduct night flights as well. At present, the airport only sees a 40-seater ‘Yeti Air 42’ flying to and from the district. 

Similarly, CM Shahi shared that a total of Rs 9.41 billion is estimated to be provided in compensation to the people of the affected areas as well as the construction of education and community infrastructures. “An agreement has already been made that the federal government will pay 50 percent of the cost while the provincial and local governments will pay 25 percent each. The construction process can be completed within eight years after the land acquisition process begins," he said.

 
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• Karnali