By Smita Adhikari, Pokhara, Mar. 9: As the deadline to complete construction approaches, work on the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA) has started to pick up the pace.

Almost 80 per cent of the equipment required to complete the airport has been brought and the technical manpower to install them will come from China before the end of March.

According to the airport’s project chief Binish Munakarmi, the equipment is very sensitive and requires experienced and expert workers to install them. “So, for the purpose, workers from China are coming this month,” he said.

There are a total of 328 workers working on PRIA, of whom 177 are Nepalis and 151 are Chinese.

As per the project office, exactly 71 per cent of the work on the airport has been completed. The remaining 29 per cent is related to finishing and decorations. “We are currently building drainage and engaged in wiring and painting works, among others,” Munakarmi said, adding, “For these works, dozens of machines including excavators have already been bought.”

The project now plans to complete the remaining work through the fast track process. “Our work was disturbed by the delay in flattening the Rithepani Hill and constructing an oil pump. So, a procedure for working through the fast track process is going to be passed through a minister-level decision to facilitate us,” Munakarmi said.