AIRPORT BOOM AND BUST IN NEPAL, SRI LANKA

The fad for mega airports in Nepal and Sri Lanka has converted both countries into a graveyard of unused airports. But the thirst for more airports remains undiminished. A special report

Nepal, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, is grappling with a curious phenomenon-the incessant construction and abandonment of airports. The recent directive from Nepal's Tourism Minister Sudan Kirati to conduct a preliminary study on a controversial airport project in Dharan has brought this issue to the forefront. With a history of building airports under political pressure, Nepal finds itself with numerous underutilized airstrips, draining taxpayer money.

Constructing a small domestic airport in Nepal comes with a hefty price tag. Basic facilities require a minimum of NPR 300 million (approximately $3mn), while an airport with a concrete or blacktopped runway costs NPR 500 million (approximately $38,604,820mn). Annual operational costs amount to NPR 5 million (approximately 38 crores), not including regular maintenance expenses. For medium-sized airports accommodating planes like the ATR 72, the cost ranges from NPR 4 billion (approximately $30 mn) to NPR 5 billion (approximately $ 38mn). Despite these substantial investments, many airports end up underutilized, adding to the financial burden.

The driving force behind Nepal's airport-building spree is often attributed to electoral politics. During election campaigns, politicians make promises of gleaming airports in their constituencies, resulting in hastily planned projects. The focus appears to be on construction rather than the sustainable operation of these airports. Currently, out of the 55 domestic airports in Nepal, only seven operate at a profit, highlighting the impracticality of numerous underutilized airports.

The approval for the Sagarmatha Airport plan was influenced by Nepal's former Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Khadka, while the airport in Chalnetaar, Pyuthan, gained traction under the efforts of its former Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam.