KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has clarified that the land acquisition for Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa was executed based on a decision by the Cabinet.

The clarification came after questions were raised regarding the acquisition of more land than necessary for the airport.

CAAN issued a statement on Wednesday, providing details about the land purchase process for the airport.

According to the statement, domestic flights have been operating at Bhairahawa Airport since 2015 BS.

The Nepal government, under its long-term plan to upgrade domestic airports, has been acquiring land for necessary aviation infrastructure in phases through Cabinet decisions.

CAAN informed that currently, around 500 bighas of land have been acquired in the name of Gautam Buddha International Airport.

“As a strong alternative to Tribhuvan International Airport, 453 bighas of land were acquired under the Cabinet decisions of Poush 29, 2072 BS, and Baisakh 7, 2073 BS. An additional 47 bighas of public land (including communal lands, streams, and canals) have been secured, summing up to approximately 500 bighas,” the statement said.

In line with the airport’s master plan, the acquired land has been allocated for the construction of the runway, taxiway, aircraft parking area, terminal building, air traffic control tower, various equipment areas, flight catering, disaster response, airport rescue, fire stations, and fire engine parking.

Additionally, the land is planned for the airport’s surveillance area, radar system, and future infrastructure like the international terminal building, oil depot, cargo terminal, helipads, meteorological office, and parking spaces.

CAAN clarified that about 40 bighas of the acquired land are also reserved for staff housing and administrative buildings.