SANGAM

Massive expansion planned for TIA
14-Mar-2010
SANGAM PRASAIN

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has been marked for a massive infrastructural expansion project to enable it to provide high-performance and operational safety-based service as per international standards.

The TIA improvement project is being implemented in four phases and will give Nepal's only international airport a completely new appearance. Work is slated to be completed by 2028 and is expected to cost US$ 600 million.

The first phase of the project is being conducted with financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) of US$ 80 million (US$ 70 million in loans and US$ 10 million in grants) and is scheduled to be finished by 2015, said Prem Raj Lohani, project director.

By 2028, TIA will be expanded to 90,000 sq m. The airport is presently spread over 36,000 sq m with the international terminal occupying 32,000 sq m and the domestic terminal the rest.

As per the first phase of the expansion plan, the international terminal building will be built where a golf course currently stands, said Lohani. The present international terminal will be used to handle domestic flights.

TIA will have 12 new aircraft parking bays for international flights and 27 for domestic flights. Currently, there are 15 aircraft parking bays for domestic flights. Similarly, the runway will be lengthened to 3,350 m from the present 3,000 m towards the south.

The Nepal Army barracks will be relocated to the north side of the runway to make space for the expansion plan. TIA will also be equipped with advanced communication, navigation and fire fighting systems. The existing drainage, water supply and electricity supply will be upgraded.

The project has started the selection procedure for a consulting firm to do the project's detailed design and supervise the construction. On August 2, 2009, the project had short-listed six consulting companies from 25 countries. "We have asked for a technical and financial proposal from them," Lohani said.

The ADB grant assistance will also be utilised to upgrade Lukla, Simikot, Rara and other airports.