June 15, Surkhet – The Karnali Province government has allocated NPR 50 million for the expansion of Surkhet Airport. Finance Minister Rajiv Bikram Shah, while presenting the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 (2026/27), stated that the airport expansion would be carried out in coordination with the federal government. The provincial government had also outlined the plan for expanding Surkhet Airport in its policies and programs. Every year, efforts are made to coordinate with the federal government for the construction and development of provincial airports, considering long-term needs.
However, progress on the airport expansion plan has been slow so far. During the budget speech, Minister Shah also announced plans to initiate domestic flights from Surkhet Airport to other districts in Karnali Province. “With coordination from the federal government, regular air services to other districts in the province will be improved. Necessary budget provisions have been made for this,” the finance minister added. The federal government has also included funds for Surkhet Airport expansion in its budget, although Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle did not disclose specific figures during the budget presentation.
