Bumthang Domestic Airport’s new terminal building will only be ready by February next year, which should otherwise be completed on upcoming Monday which is after 2 years since the work was awarded as per the initial contract clause.
Only about fifty per cent of the structural works is finished as of now. The Department of Air Transport extended the deadline by 6 months after the contractor proposed for a time extension.
The construction of the terminal, which is at Bathpalathang got delayed due to harsh winter months and labour issues as per the Department of Air Transport. The department also said the shortage of timber during winter months in Bumthang also affected the timely completion of the project. The contractor submitted all data, which led to the delay of the construction to the project’s Ministerial Level Tender Committee. Meanwhile, the slow work progress of the project was also reflected in the last audit report.
“Firstly, all the workers had to be brought from India as it’s difficult getting labourers in Bumthang. Then, all sawmills remained closed during winter and moreover, there is a standing regulation in Bumthang whereby all concrete works have to be stopped in winter. So, the tender committee cross-checked all the reasons and issues and recommended for a time extension. The contractor has now made a commitment to finish the construction within the extended period as he acknowledged the fact that the project has already got delayed,” said Ugyen Dorji, the Chief Engineer for Department Of Air Transport.
According to Rinson Construction Company’s Project Director, almost 90 per cent of the woodworks are finished and the remaining concrete works will be over by September. He also said, the company will carry out the fitting works of the internal equipment of the building such as floor heating system, insulation fittings, tinted glasses among others after the concrete works are over. The company has spent about Nu 28 M so far of the total estimated budget of Nu 158 M budget for the project. Once completed the 2-storey facility will have international standard terminal facilities.
“The new terminal building will have heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, CCTV, baggage conveyer, sound system for announcements and other facilities which are not there at the current terminal. There will also be a VIP lounge. The new building will be able to operate 2 ATR-500s planes and accommodate the passengers simultaneously,” the Chief Engineer added.
The terminal is built to solve accommodation problems faced at the current makeshift terminal, as the domestic airport at Bumthang is the busiest of all in the country. The new building is built with financial support from the Asian Development Bank.
