By Kokila Dhakal
Ilam, Jan. 4: Ten years after the work began on the Falgunanda Sukilumba Airport, the construction of the runway is finally gaining momentum. With the building project in full swing, the runway is currently in the phase of getting black-topped. “We have just completed the mud-filling process, and are awaiting materials to begin the tarring process,” said Binay Bhattarai, Engineer at Civil Aviation Authority. The authority aims to complete paving the 670-metre long runway by coming March (Nepali month of Chaitra) and commence the flight from April (Nepali month of Baishakh).
On June 4, 2018, a Tara Air-owned aircraft had successfully completed its test flight at Falgunanda Airport. At the 1300-metre airfield at Falgunanda, Twin Otter aircrafts can easily take off and land.
With over Rs. 90 million investment allocated to paving the runway alone, over Rs. 280 million has already been spent in the airport. Apart from the runway, the Rs. 90 million tender also includes building retaining wall, parking space, security towers and a temporary terminal building.
Spread over 328 ropanis of land, the foundation stone for the airport was laid by the then Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal back on March 27, 2011. Planning for the said airport was laid out even earlier, around 2001.
“The airport has been a beacon of hope for a long time. After completion, it will open the doors of prosperity at Ilam,” said Ram Rana, State Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives.
According to him, the airport will easily connect Ilam directly to Panchthar, Taplejung and even India’s Sikkim and Darjeeling, which will foster economic growth in the district.
“The residents here have been harbouring the airport dream for the last two decades,” stated Rana, while also extending his anticipation towards the airport finally coming into fruition.