The construction period of Pokhara Regional International Airport being constructed by a Chinese company has been postponed for six months. As work is underway to complete the construction six months ahead of the contract period, the global shutdown due to Covid-19 has been postponed for six months, writes Gorkhapatra Daily.
Constructed has been started from 2074 Asar to be completed by 26th Asar, 2077 at a cost of about Rs. 22 billion. China CAMC Engineering said construction could not be completed on time due to problems in importing materials due to the corona. According to Binesh Munkarmi, head of the Pokhara Regional International Airport Project, the construction work of the airport has been postponed for six months due to the Covid-19, which was targeted to be completed six months ahead due to the construction company expediting the construction work.
“Even during the six-month shutdown of last year and the three-month shutdown of this year, regular work is being done at the airport. We are preparing to complete the construction within the next six months and test flight by 2078 BS,” said Munkarmi. The construction time has been extended as more than 300 workers have to bring the necessary equipment and materials from abroad for the airport.
As per the agreement, 81 percent physical and 68 percent economic progress has been made in this period as the construction is scheduled to be completed on Asar 26. Of the remaining 19 percent physically, 19 percent is civil construction and 10 percent is equipment connection work. Some of the equipment used at the airport has already arrived and some are yet to arrive. The project has stated that manpower could not come as there was no international flight as manpower had to come from different countries to connect with the equipment.
The equipment used at the airport comes from China, USA, Norway, Australia and other countries. At present, the airport is being decorated, tiled, painted, innovated and excavated.
By Muna Chand
