350 households demand speedy compensation for their acquired lands for Biratnagar airport expansion

ITAHRI, August 17: Locals of Morang and Sunsari have demanded speedy compensation for their acquired lands for Biratnagar airport expansion project. 

Three hundred and fifty households of Biratnagar Metropolitan Ward Number 4 and adjoining areas of Barju Rural Municipality said their lands are banned for sales since 6 April 2021. On 6 April, Nepal Government issued a notice on Gorakhapatra Daily prohibiting sells of the lands within the proposed airport expansion periphery. 

Nepal Government has floated project to expand airport area from existing 122 Bighas to 248.46 Bighas by aquiring 126.46 Bighas of lands from locals. 

''There are 1400 Kittas of our land is aquired by the Nepal Government and we were assured to be compensated by Oli Government itself'', complained Bedraj Poudel, the chair of the struggle committee, ''Still, we are waiting the compensation.'' Poudel said owing to lengthy process the locals are troubled on economic activities. ''Neither we get compensation nor we can sell our lands'', complained Poudel. 

Government is mulling to construct 2500-metre-long runway for domestic and international flights in the days ahead. 

In order to enlarge the airport area, 7.83 Bighas in the east, 69.14 Bighas in the west, 35.81 Bighas in north and 8.87 Bighas as well as 3.70 Bighas for roadways is acquired for the project.

Meanwhile, Utsab Kharel, the Chief of Civil Aviation Authority Biratnagar Airport, said he could not pay the compensation, as there is not budget for the purpose. ''There are problems for lengthy compensation process therefore it's open for Amsabanda (property transfer to the family members),'' said Kharel. 

Biratnagar airport is in the priority of both provincial and federal government to upgrade it to the international status. Traders and locals are long demanding for international flight. Interestingly, in Panchayat era, there would be direct flight to Patna of India. According to the officials of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Biratnagar airport is third busiest airport after Kathmandu and Pokhara.