Surkhet Airport Expansion Urgently Needed for Karnali's Prosperity, Says Former Industry Chief

Surkhet Airport, located in Birendranagar, the capital of Karnali Province, is confined to an old and narrow structure. From a geographical and strategic perspective, this airport is a main gateway for the overall prosperity of Karnali. This airport's role is indispensable in connecting Karnali's remote settlements with the national mainstream and accelerating its economic development. Therefore, upgrading and expanding this airport is the main necessity at present.

Currently, instead of debating the construction of a new airport in Surkhet, expanding and upgrading this existing airport is more important. We have recently seen the condition of infrastructure-rich international airports built with huge investments in Nepal, whether it be Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa or Pokhara International Airport. Those airports have not been able to operate at full capacity so far. The investment is like pouring water into sand due to the lack of regular international flights there.

In such a situation, talking about building another airport in eastern Surkhet while leaving Surkhet Airport in Birendranagar, the capital of Karnali Province, as it is, would mean spending billions of rupees of the state again. It takes another 20-30 years to build a new airport and make it commercially viable. Therefore, there has been talk of extending the runway of the airport within Birendranagar by up to 600 meters, but it has only remained talk. If the runway is extended by 300 to 350 meters with a limited budget, it can serve Karnali's needs for at least the next 50 years.

The private sector (we) has repeatedly raised its voice for the expansion and upgrading of the airport. We have been saying that the expansion and upgrading of this airport is the only immediate and unavoidable solution. Regular flights from Surkhet to the remote districts of Karnali—Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Dolpa, and Kalikot—should be operated through this airport. The irony is that even today, we Karnali residents cannot travel from our own provincial capital to the remote districts within the province. Today, we are still forced to land in Nepalgunj and then take a plane to Humla, Jumla, or Dolpa. The private sector is seeking this access and convenience. Fulfilling this demand is in the interest of Karnali.

The role of the provincial and local governments in this matter appears extremely disappointing. They have only talked, but the progress of work is seen as zero. Looking back at the past, the then Chief Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi must be mentioned; concrete initiatives were taken for airport expansion during his tenure. Budgets were also allocated for it. He was ready to work, but it could not be possible due to the political circumstances at that time.

In my understanding, the work was halted due to personal conflicts and the struggle for existence between political parties. The airport expansion plan was overshadowed due to the tendency of not accepting each other. The current provincial government also does not seem to be taking much interest in the airport expansion issue. There is a prevailing tendency to talk about 'expanding the airport' during meetings with federal ministers or the Prime Minister, but not to work on it.

On the ground, the progress of work is 'zero'. This problem is seen in both Viredranagar Municipality and the provincial government. The current Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel was elected from Surkhet Constituency No. 2 (1). During the elections, he made 'I will expand the airport' his main election agenda. It has been two years since he became Chief Minister, but no concrete progress has been seen from his level regarding airport expansion. This tendency of talking big in speeches but backing down in action is fatal to Karnali's development.

Now, it is time for the federal government to present the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. In the process of budget preparation, provincial and local governments need to do effective 'lobbying' with the central government. Through the federal government's budget, the Surkhet Airport must be given special priority, budget allocated, and its expansion and upgrading work should be moved forward. This is the main statement of us in the private sector.

Due to the non-expansion of Surkhet Airport, the citizens and the private sector here are facing great hardship. The main problem is the airfare. Currently, the fare for flights from Surkhet to Kathmandu is extremely expensive. For example, as of today, one can fly from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu for Rs 7,075, while we have to pay more than Rs 10,500 for the same journey from Surkhet. The reason for this is that due to the short runway, aircraft with a capacity of 72 or 80 seats cannot take off at full capacity (full load) from here.

Even if the aircraft has 72 seats, due to Surkhet's temperature and short runway, Buddha Air can only carry about 50 to 55 passengers, and an 80-seat aircraft of Shree Air can carry only 55 to 60 passengers. This means that the aircraft is forced to fly with about 17 to 18 empty seats on a single flight. The compensation for those empty seats is added to the fare of 50-55 passengers, which is why the airfare is expensive. If the airport is expanded by only 300-350 meters, aircraft can carry passengers at full capacity, and the fare will automatically come down to the level of Nepalgunj.

Another serious issue is safety. The current flights in Surkhet can be called a type of 'forced landing'. The aircraft has to stop after reaching the end of the runway. This poses a risk of an unpleasant incident at any time. If the airport is expanded, this risk will be removed, and safe flight will be ensured.

When I was the President of the Surkhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we made many efforts in this regard. When Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' came to Surkhet as Prime Minister, we submitted a memorandum to him at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry office. Our main agenda was Surkhet Airport expansion, the 132 KV transmission line, and the Karnali Province-level industrial zone. Not only that, I personally led a delegation to Kathmandu and submitted a memorandum to the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. At that time, he assured us by saying, 'I am talking to Karnali's Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel, the airport will be expanded,' but no work progressed.

Some people also argue that expanding the airport would cost 10 billion rupees, and it would be better to build a new airport instead. This 10 billion rupee cost estimate has been calculated incorrectly. That cost estimate was prepared based on the plan to acquire land near the airport in the river, which is not necessary at all. If only the land required for runway expansion is acquired, this work can be completed for 3 to 4 billion rupees. If a new airport is to be built in Surkhet today, even 20 billion will not be enough. If we expand this airport for 3-4 billion rupees, the remaining large amount can be used to make the Karnali Highway two-lane.

On one hand, if the airport is expanded for 4 billion rupees, and on the other hand, if the Karnali Highway is improved for 15 billion rupees, making it accessible to Rara Lake, Karnali will be transformed. This will increase connectivity by both air and road. Tourist traffic will increase, and people will flock to Rara and other tourist destinations in Karnali. The government should calculate the return on investment for any infrastructure project. How much income will be generated for how much money is spent, and how much convenience the public will receive is the main thing.

Ultimately, in my opinion, the main reason for the non-expansion and upgrading of Surkhet Airport is the incompetence of the leadership. This work has not stopped due to a lack of money, but due to a lack of willpower. For a country like Nepal, building an airport, considered the lifeline of a province, by investing 3-4 billion rupees is not a big deal. Therefore, without further delay, the provincial and federal governments must take this seriously and move forward with the work. The expansion of Surkhet Airport is essential to open the door to Karnali's prosperity.

(Based on an interview with Laxman Kandel, former president of Surkhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, by Pankhabahadur Shahi of Ratopati)