Gokuleshwar Airport closed for three decades, reconstruction work stalled

By Lokendra Prasad Joshi,Darchula, Aug. 19: The reconstruction work of the Gokuleshwar Airport has been halted for the past three decades. 

Although KS Construction Pvt. Ltd. from Dhangadhi carried out earth-filling and construction of gabion wall four years ago, the construction work has since been abandoned due to lack of budget.

Located in Gokuleshwar, Shailyashikhar Municipality-9, the operation of this airport would benefit not only the locals of Darchula but also those from Baitadi and Bajhang districts. 

Locals are demanding immediate budget allocation to resume the remaining work. Gokuleshwar Airport, which began operations in 1990, has been closed since 1993. 

Since 2003, the airport has been left in care of just an office assistant, and it is now in a dilapidated state. 

More than three decades after its closure, the airport building has turned into ruins, and the runway that was supposed to be paved has turned into a grazing field and playground.

In the fiscal year 2020/21, under the initiative of then-Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Ganesh Singh Thagunna, the Ministry of Finance had committed a budget of Rs. 504.949 million for the airport’s reconstruction. 

Subsequently, a multi-year contract was awarded in 2021 and an agreement was signed with KS Construction for Rs. 35.8 million to complete earth-filling and construction of gabion wall. 

Despite the assurance of budget from the Ministry for Finance and the multi-year contract, lack of budget release in recent years has resulted in minimal progress, said Bijay Singh Dhami, Mayor of Shailyashikhar Municipality. 

According to him, the reconstruction work has stalled due to lack of budget allocation in recent years. 

Locals have been expressing anger towards the elected provincial and federal representatives from Darchula and the government for their failure to take initiative in operating the airport.

The closure of the airport has caused difficulties for seriously ill patients, travelers, and businesses. 

Local businessman Suresh Singh Bhandari said that operating the airport would provide services to travelers from all three districts and also boost economic, tourism, and other sectors of development in the region. 

He urged the government to allocate necessary funds and expedite the airport’s operation. 

Currently, due to the lack of flights, people are forced to travel approximately 350 kilometres by road from the provincial capital to reach Darchula headquarters. 

Prem Joshi, a local, also stressed the importance of reconstructing the airport for tourism, livelihoods, business, and overall regional development. 

With construction halted, the airport area is now being used as a grazing field for horses, mules, cows, and buffaloes, as well as a playground. 

The lack of air service in the district has resulted in patients dying prematurely as they are unable to reach hospitals in time. 

Due to the lack of proper transportation, even government officials and tourists are reluctant to visit Darchula. 

Locals strongly demand the immediate reconstruction and operation of the Gokuleshwar Airport, which is considered crucial for the development of the district.