KATHMANDU, Nov 15: Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) terminal expansion work is all set to begin.
Officials of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) told Republica that the contractor has already been deployed in the field. “It will begin work after getting its work schedule approved,” Prem Nath Thakur, the spokesperson for the TIA, told Republica. “Hopefully construction work will begin on Thursday.”
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CAAN has divided the project into three packages -- NCB-01 runway extension, NCB-02 international terminal building expansion and NCB-03 utility works. The civil aviation regulator has already awarded the contracts to Chinese company Shanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation; Nepali joint venture Sharma, Prera & Ashish Construction, and Ashish Prera JV Nepal, respectively.
Works like extension of runway at the southern end by 300 meters, construction of drainage along with perimeter and entry in the NCB-01 package. The package has to be completed within 21 months, according to the contract documents.
Similarly, the second package, NCB-02, includes adding a floor in the existing international terminal building. The package is expected to be completed within 18 months. The third package, NCB-03, which includes utility work, has to be completed within 12 months, according to contract documents.
“As we have divided the works into three packages, all works will begin simultaneously. Contractors have already reached the project site. They will begin work once their work schedule is approved,” Birendra Prashad Shrestha, deputy director and the spokesperson for CAAN said. “All the works will be completed within two or two and half years.”
The TIA Terminal Expansion Project is being implemented with an investment of US$ 92 million. Asian Development Bank (ADB) is giving loan of $80 million, while the government is chipping in with $12 million, according to CAAN.
