The construction of Majhgaon Airport in Mahendranagar, which started three years ago, is progressing at a slow pace. Due to the lack of land required for runway construction, the construction could not take off.

The last time there was an agreement to clear the land needed for the construction of the airport, there was some hope. This week, a discussion was held between concerned ministries and agencies in the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the evacuation of 2.5 hundred meters of land belonging to the Nepali Army for the protection of Shuklaphanta National Park. After discussion, it was agreed to clear the required land. 

"After the recent discussion and agreement, there is some hope, but the army has not made any progress regarding the evacuation of the land," said Rajendra Chand, secretary of the airport re-operation committee, "The park and the army have said that no information has been received." If the playground used by the army is vacated, the safety area will also be determined along with the 1,525-meter runway of the airport.

Currently, base construction is being done on the runway of only 1,300 meters. Jitendra Yadav, engineer of Kancharam/KS/Uma & Co., which is building the airport, said that if the space is available, the runway construction work can be completed in 3 and a half months. "The plan is to blacken the runway after February 15," said Engineer Yadav.

'Currently, the construction work of the runway is only going on, the safety area on both sides of it is yet to be cleared,' said Nirmal Thapa, a technician of the Civil Aviation Authority assigned for the airport project. "Safety area construction work is also left," Thapa said, "Drains will also be constructed on the shore." After the environmental impact assessment work is completed, trees and butanes will be cut and then the work will be done.