Majhagaun Airport reconstruction delayed despite frequent high-level inspections
Mahendranagar: Reconstruction work aimed at bringing Majhagaun Airport in Kanchanpur back into operation has entered its fourth year, with the project timeline extended by one year after failing to meet the original three-year completion target.
Despite repeated visits and inspections by ministers, Members of Parliament and other high-ranking officials in recent years, the pace of reconstruction has remained slower than expected. Locals say that frequent inspections have also been accompanied by political competition to claim credit for reopening the airport.
Following the formation of the last government, the Speaker, ministers and MPs have conducted multiple inspections. However, according to Majhagaun Airport Office Chief Minraj Ojha, progress has been particularly slow over the past six months.
Ojha stated that although the reconstruction is being carried out in partnership with local governments, the Sudurpaschim provincial government and the federal government, delays in budget management by partner agencies have affected progress.
“Despite the provincial and local governments being partners, there has not been sufficient effort in managing the budget as per the agreement,” he said. “The $50,000 allocated by the federal government for infrastructure construction in the last fiscal year remained unused as the contract process could not be completed.”
Locals say that while visiting officials have repeatedly expressed commitment to expedite construction and resume operations, these assurances have not translated into visible progress.
Majhagaun Airport, which was closed in 2058 BS citing security reasons, has remained non-operational since then. A contract worth Rs 456.6 million was signed in 2078 BS with a target of completing reconstruction within three years. So far, about 75 percent of the project has been completed.
Out of the total 1,525 meters of runway to be blacktopped, 1,450 meters has been completed. Ojha said the necessary process has been initiated to complete the remaining portion.
An agreement was reached in 2077 BS among the federal government, the Sudurpaschim provincial government, and Bhimdatta and Dodhara-Chandani municipalities for the upgrade. Under the agreement, Bhimdatta Municipality is contributing 15 percent, Dodhara-Chandani Municipality 10 percent, the provincial government 25 percent and the federal government 50 percent.
Ojha also noted that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has submitted a proposal of Rs 100 million for the construction of the airport’s terminal building. The airport, which had been in operation since 2030 BS, was shut down due to the armed conflict.
He added that the primary issue at present is not a lack of federal funding but insufficient budget allocation from provincial and local partners. “There is no problem with the budget from the center,” he said, “but due to inadequate funding from the provincial and local levels, reconstruction has nearly stalled, with only routine work continuing over the past five to six months.”
Pitambar Joshi, a central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, emphasized that development projects should not become subjects of political competition. He said all stakeholders must focus equally on completing the project within the stipulated timeframe.
He expressed confidence that resuming airport operations would increase tourist arrivals from India and positively impact tourism and economic activities in the region.