KATHMANDU, Sept 22: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Bhattarai has sought suggestions on different designs for terminals of Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA).
Stating that the preparation for the construction of the second terminal building of the GBIA has started, Minister Bhattarai took to his Facebook account and said that he is expecting suggestions for different terminal designs for the airport. He also visited offices of national pride projects under the ministry on Monday and observed different terminal designs of the under-construction GBIA at Bhairahawa.
Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports to be operated in PPP model
According to the ministry, the project has achieved 92 percent progress and is expected to be completed within this December. The project has stated that the target is to bring the airport into operation by March 2021. The national pride project has achieved 4.5 percent physical progress even during the months-long lockdown enforced by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Nepal.
However, the installation of electronic equipment is yet to be completed. The project has stated that delay in arrival of manpower from abroad due to COVID-19 has pushed its completion date further. The project was originally planned to be completed by December 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic affected the construction of the project.
Similarly, Minister Bhattarai also visited Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to monitor the current situation of the airport after the resumption of air service. The air service in Nepal was suspended since March to contain the spread of COVID-19. He went to observe the situation after the government allowed domestic air movement from Monday.
During his visit to the TIA, he observed the flow of passengers at the airport, compliance of health protocols while the airport has started regular operation recently. He also directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) for effective compliance to health protocols for safety of both passengers and staffers providing the service.
