The government has spent Rs 65 million on constructing a dirt runway which it plans to gravel. Another Rs 130 million is projected to be required to complete the construction of the airport.

According to the Sukilumba Airport Construction Project, the additional funds will be used to erect a control tower and security post and blacktop the runway.

The construction project has stalled as the airport seems to be low on the government’s list of priorities. An engineer at the project said that they were forced to close down the airport even when there is a little rain. “At least the dirt runway should be gravelled so that the airport can be operated continuously,” said the official.

The construction of the airport that is spread over 326 ropanis of land was begun by collecting donations from

the local people. The preliminary set-up of the runway that is 60 metres wide and 760 metres long has been constructed. However, further work has not been done due to lack of finance.

The local people are worried about possible flooding due to the incomplete construction work. According to them, there could be a mudslide at the airport during the rainy season endangering residential areas downhill.

The drainage construction along the airport area that is estimated to cost Rs 20 million has not been contracted so far. According to the source, the contract process for drainage construction is just started. However, the local people have been demanding to construct drain on time to prevent the possible danger during the rainy season.  

The project has constructed a small embankment at a cost of Rs 4 million in response to the demand of the local people. However, locals said that the airport needed to be fenced with a well-built structure to avoid possible threats to residential areas.