From the last few years Tribhuvan International Airport expansion (TIA) has been in issue highlighting the number of arrivals and flow of airlines in the country. Every year the issue of its expansion voices out with the starting of the tourism season and fades after the time. Currently, the country has 18 international airlines with 9 of it directly linking Kathmandu with different destination and almost a dozen air carriers operating in the domestic sector.Nevertheless, due to improper planning and growing numbers of airlines, the TIA currently is facing a huge congestion problem. As per sources, due to busy runways, the rate of air holding of the aircrafts at TIA has significantly increased. From above it can be said that there is no alternative for Nepal than to go for another international airport to meet the current demand of the aviation sector in the country. But in the condition, when Nepal cannot immediately cater the need of aviation growth by constructing a new international airport, there becomes no choice than to expand and improve the capacity of TIA to manage with the current needs. During the interaction held at Nepal Tourism Board, organized by Nepal National Aviation Council (NNAC), an elaborative presentation was made by Hari Bhakta Shrestha, Joint Secretary at Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation about the expansion of TIA model and planning where he hinted towards a need of TIA expansion from 2008 and the construction of the new international airport at Nijgadh from 2010, if we are to enjoy benefit in 2010 for TIA and 2025 for Nijgadh respectively.
The plans of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) includes, acclimatizing the need of the industry, the (MoCTCA) under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CIAA) forwarded a master plan strategy which is currently adapting its track.
According to the master plan, the Aviation sector strategy needs to explore its depth highlighting its position and brand Nepal as a regional model of aviation excellence within 10 years. Moreover, after strengthening the sector strategy the Phase-I would be introduced with in 2009-2013 with an approximate investment of US$ 53.8 million.
The government from its side has already shown its commitment through the Government Policy Commitment 2063 where it plans to commence the New International Airport (NIA) with modern facilities under a master plan.
Focusing the master plan the acquisition and management of land required, environment impact assessment, migration plan, road link up and infrastructures and various modalities of investment to attract native and foreign private investors are in its way highlighting the scope and role of Nijgadh.
Presently the TIA capacity holds
International terminal Building (ITB) Area 24,242 sq.m
Int'l Aircraft Bay 9
Peak Hour passenger Processing Capacity 750 pax/hr
Domestic floor area 3894 sq.m
Peak hour Passenger Processing Capacity 384 pax/hr
Aviation sector strategy
- Modifying the institutional frame work
- Adjusting responsibilities for sector management
- Strengthening CAAN's financial, Management and regulatory capabilities
- Improving TIA's commercial performance
- Upgrading air safety and security system
- Improving managerial and technical skills
- Encouraging private sector participation in major projects
- Upgrading of CNS facilities
- Improving the national airport infrastructure
Phase-I: 2009-2013: Investment: 53.8M $
- Demolition of existing domestic terminal building (DTB)
- Expansion of Int'l aircraft parking apron toward DTB
- Construction of low cost DTB to serve till year 2017
- Development of aircraft maintenance base (Int'l & Dom) move Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) and military hanger to east side runway
- Expansion of domestic aircraft parking apron
- Construction of the parallel taxiway
- Upgrade CNS/ATM system
- Improve water supply and sewerage system
- Refurbishing of ITB facilities, airline lounges
Similarly, Phase II: 2014-2018: Investment:150M $
- Construction of new ITB
- Conversion of the existing ITB to new DTB
- Expansion of parking Apron (Int'l 7 Dom)
- Expansion of parallel taxiway to exist no.5
- Car parking and road infrastructure for the new ITB
- RADAR replacement and upgrading the CNS
- Terminal area commercial development
- Construction of commercial project
Currently the proposed Second International Airport (SIA) at the Nijgadh area
Area 32 sq.KM
Traffic forecast for 2015 2-3 million
For 2015 terminal area required 41,854 sq.m
For 2015 aircraft gate for Int'l 9 gates
First phase SIA 1.2 Billion $
Bagmati Corridor Road 100Milion $
Text compiled by Shreedeep Rayamajhi
Source: Hari Bhakta Shrestha
Joint Secretary, MoCTCA
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