Biratnagar airport's new terminal building 81 percent complete

Physical progress on the new terminal building under construction at Biratnagar Airport, the largest airport in Koshi Province, has reached about 81 percent.

According to Sanjeev Khadka, information officer at the airport office, the three-storey building is being constructed on an area of about 18,000 square metres. Construction began in Poush 2079 BS with the aim of making the airport's terminal and other structures, which have been in service for about 68 years, earthquake-resistant. The project costs about Rs 3.12 billion.

The construction company has recently sped up the work, aiming to complete it by Poush 2083 BS. The new building is being designed in a modern, technology-friendly format with passenger convenience as a priority.

The airport, which came into operation in 1958, was built with support from the governments of India and South Korea. Spread over about 122 bighas, it has a runway about 1,775 metres long.

According to information officer Khadka, the airport currently handles about 20 to 25 flights daily and can park five aircraft at a time.