Brief of Airport Projects

TA 9873-NEP: Preparing the Airport Capacity Enhancement Sector Development Program - Review of the Investment Component under the proposed Sector Development Program (38349-030)

The Government of Nepal has applied for a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Airport Capacity Enhancement Sector Development Program (SDP). The SDP will (i) support civil aviation sector reforms in restructuring the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) (the program component), and (ii) provide project financing for improvement of airport facilities at TIA and Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Lumbini (the investment component). The investment component includes (i) construction of hangar aprons for relocation of hangars to the eastern part of TIA, (ii) extension of parallel taxiway to runway end 02 at TIA and (iii) construction of a new international terminal building with a floor space of 35,000m2 at GBIA.
The scope of services include:

• Review of existing design of the proposed investment component at TIA, which comprises (i) construction of two hangar aprons (HA#1, HA#2, total area 98,100 m2 of PCC pavement and associated access taxiways (Taxiways 'P', 'Q' & 'R' - total area 29,000 m2 of asphalt concrete pavement) and (ii) extension of existing Parallel Taxiway – i.e. Taxiway 'J' from existing taxiway 'E' to runway end 02 ≈1140 m and exit taxiways, 'K' & 'L' – total area 77,100 m2 of asphalt concrete pavement ).
• Update of rate analysis and cost estimates of hangar aprons and Parallel Taxiway.
• Review of bid documents and specifications of proposed contract packages of Hangar Aprons and Parallel Taxiway at TIA.
• Update demand forecast of the current TIA master plan and GBIA with available airport-related and socio/economic data with due consideration of impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
• Assess the current design, location, and possible implementation schedule of the international passenger terminal building (ITB) at TIA in terms of the reviewed masterplan, identify critical issues for its implementation, and propose necessary action plan for the project preparation and implementation.
• ADB’s required due diligence: (i) economic and financial analysis in accordance with ADB’s Guidelines for the Economic Analysis of Projects; (ii) environmental and social safeguards in accordance with
• ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS); and (iii) environmental, climate change, and social assessment of proposed investment components at TIA and GBIA.

Air Transport Project Preparatory Consultant, Transport Project Preparatory Facility (ADB Grant No. 0227-NEP (SF))

• Airside infrastructure comprising relocation of existing Nepal Army and Nepal Airlines hangars, improvement of runway strip, new parallel taxiway section, new international apron (Phase II, capacity 6 wide body aircrafts with aerobridge and 2 stands for VVIP), new remote aircraft parking apron including link taxiways, new helipad, parallel taxiway extension to runway end 02, access road to link between Runway and VOR/DME area.
• Landslide infrastructures comprising of new international terminal building (103,160 sqm, 7 MPax),
  Nepal Airlines Corporation Hangar (10,600 sqm), Nepal Army Hangar (9,070 sqm), reconfiguration of existing international terminal building (22,000 sqm) to operate as domestic terminal, relocation of existing and development of new VVIP Building, relocation of Nepal Army establishments, expansion of existing Cargo Terminal, water supply improvement, new sewage treatment plant, fuel hydrant system.
• Secondary power augmentation
• CNS/ATM
• Priority CNS/ATM facilities
• Dedicated surface transportation for TIA.

Detail Design and Construction Supervision, Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project (ADB Loan No 2581-NEP (SF) & Grant No. 0181-NEP (SF)

• About 1,400 meters (m) of new main taxiways and link taxiways,
• 300 meters of runway extension and construction of runway end safety area,
• New international apron (about 80,000 m 2 ), (v) an uninterrupted power supply system for essential airfield and security area lights,
• CNS and ATM equipment, and
• Upgrading of rescue and firefighting system.

Development and Implementation of Additional Infrastructures of Tribhuvan International Airport as per TIA Master Plan 2015 (Design and Construction Supervision)

• Expansion of international aircraft parking apron (Phase II)-13,000 sqm with rigid pavement for additional parking stands of medium and long haul jet aircraft;
• Strengthening and expansion of domestic aircraft apron (this will be part of future international apron for Category E improvement) comprising 183,000 sqm site development.
• Construction of apron, exit taxiways, parallel taxiways, equipment yard (total 48,000 sqm asphalt concrete and 74,000 sqm rigid pavement) and associated services.
• Aircraft maintenance base
• Hangar area and exit taxiways – 58,000 sqm for separate international and domestic aircraft hangars.
• Two exit taxiways, apron and pre-hangar areas (total paved area – 23400 sqm asphalt concrete and 31,700 sqm rigid) and associated services.
• Temporary domestic terminal building (total floor area- 8,300 sqm) and associated service roads, car and motorcycle parking as per TIA Master Plan 2015.
• The cost estimate of 4 packages of additional infrastructures was about US$ 28 million.

Air Transport Connectivity Project (ADB TA 7633-BHU), Bhutan

• Air transport sector assessment
• Safety inspection of Paro International Airport.
• Development of Master Plan of Paro International Airport.
• Identification of upgrading requirements for ICAO compliance.
• Identification of requirements to accommodate future capacity needs.
• Inspection & Review of CNS/ATM facilities and identification of requirements.
• Preparation of prioritized capital programme for upgrading communications and navigation.
• Surveillance and other equipment required over a 10-year timeframe.
• Prepare preliminary cost estimates and specifications inclusive of installation, training, and spares support.
• Develop a 5-year manpower and training plan identifying the human resources and their development required to support future air traffic operations and engineering services.

Basic Survey of Land Mass and other Infrastructure within the proposed Second International Airport (SIA) at Dumberwana, Nijgadh, Bara

The study comprised mapping of 80 sq km area and demarcation of site for proposed second international airport (SIA) and airport city, airport quadrant layouts (with provision of 2 parallel runways and terminal facilities), identification of existing infrastructures and ownership, socio-economic profile, basic environmental plan and resettlement aspects of about 8,700 population living in the area. SIA is proposed for development under BOT/BOOT.

Evaluation of Airport Pavement Strength of Biratnagar, Pokhara and Nepalgunj Airports

The scope of services include investigation and evaluation of existing aerodrome pavements at major domestic hub airports (Biratnagar, Pokhara and Nepalgunj) along with determination of pavement classification number (PCN), identification of geometry improvement needs and pavement strengthening measures to operate larger aircrafts such as Fokker 100 or equivalent. At the existing situation these airports were designed to operate HS748 type aircrafts.

Upgrading Design and Updating of Master Plan of Rara Airport

Because of its proximity (to Rara Lake and Rara National Park) Rara Airport has been identified as important tourism infrastructure. The airport situated on south-east facing mountain slope has an earth runway (550x60 m) and a temporary apron, and subjected to snow/frost affect during winter. The study was done to update the airport to bituminous standard along with preparation of updated master plan considering future development needs. The design was carried out for upgrading of runway, taxiway and apron to bituminous standard, drainage improvement and new terminal building and control tower.

Preparation of Terms of Reference for Invitation of Technical and Financial Proposals for Development and Operation of Aircraft Hangar at Tribhuvan International Airport

Building around provision of Aviation Policy 2063, CAAN intends to undertake development of aircraft maintenance Hangar at TIA and, thus intends to involve private investors (e.g. airlines operators) to participate in development of this either on build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT); or lease, build, own and transfer (LBOT) basis as per the Infrastructure Development and Operation through Private Investment Act, 2063 of Government of Nepal. In this context GEOCE was entrusted to carry out preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for invitation of technical and financial proposals for development and operation of domestic aircraft hangar at TIA for TIAIP/CAAN.

Design Review and Preparation of Contract Documents for TIA Pavement Maintenance Works

In 2005, Tribhuvan International Airport Improvement Project (TIAIP), CAAN carried out pavement maintenance study of runway and taxiways at TIA supported by GEOCE. The study identified maintenance works (distress correction) and resurfacing with overlay of hot mix asphalt concrete. For taking it to implementation TIAIP engaged GEOCE (i) to carry out confirmatory investigation and design review including additional electrical works required for maintenance of runway and taxiways edge lights; and (ii) to prepare the pre-qualification and contract documents for the procurement of ICB civil works contracts for the maintenance of runway and taxiways pavements.

Design of Priority Improvement Works at Gautam Buddha Airport

• Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa is an important hub airport in the Western Development Region of Nepal. The airport has a paved runway (1500x30 m), a taxiway (95x15 m) and an apron (92x62 m) constructed in 1970s. The landside area is about 450x200 m. Because of proximity to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, the airport offers high potential to tourism. Hence, CAAN has conceived a plan to update this airport to a regional international airport to be able to operate medium sized jet aircrafts such as Boeing 737. GEOCE carried out the following scope of services for this project:
• Topography survey of runway expansion (1388x200m) and Ghaghar Khola diversion
• Soil investigation of runway expansion
• Pavement surveys, investigation and evaluation of existing runway, taxiway and apron
• Construction materials survey
• Hydrological study of Ghaghar Nala
• Drainage study of airport
• Review and update of air traffic projection for 2015
• Review and update of airport master plan with future development needs to improve to regional international airport
• Design of runway expansion from existing 1500 m to 2600 m with 45 m width, which include earthworks, drainage and pavement. The pavement was designed for design aircraft (Boeing 737 or equivalent.
• Design of drainage improvement at the airport including improvement needed for existing interior airport drainage, and exterior drainage to alleviate current flooding problems
• Design of suitable works for re-routing of Ghaghar Nala (flood discharge capacity 250 m3/sec) with1830 m lined channel including river training, bank protection works etc.
• Preparation of drawings and cost estimates
• Preparation of indicative implementation plan

The cost estimate of the priority improvement works was about NRs 719 million.

Commercial Viability Study of Land Use at Tribhuvan International Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) Master Plan includes a Land Use and Zoning Plan showing allocation and protection of land use both on and off the airport within the airport boundary to support phase wise improvements of TIA to 2015. The Land Use and Zoning Plan has identified and designated different locations in TIA area for various purposes required to fulfill the demands of an international airport. However the plan has not considered certain locations of TIA for the construction and expansion of infrastructures. These locations could be utilized for various commercial activities such as hotels, shopping mall, airline and cargo complexes, airport catering, restaurants and fast food centers, recreation ground, golf course and others. TIA could lease out these lands to prospective developers, airlines and cargo operators and others to develop and operate such commercial activities, which will generate additional revenues to CAAN. GEOCE carried out the study for viability assessment for commercialization of above land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Evaluation and Design of Aerodrome Pavement at Chandragadhi Airport

Because of its location near to the eastern border, Chandragadhi airport is emerging as an important domestic destination in the country for tourists from the region (e.g. India, Bangladesh). CAAN upgraded this airport to bituminous standard in FY 2002/03. The airport has runway (1500x30m), taxiway (90x60 m) and apron (90x60m). GEOCE carried out evaluation of existing aerodrome pavement and design of pavement strengthening and other improvement works for operation of Fokker-100 type aircrafts;

Pavement Maintenance Study of Tribhuvan International Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu has a single runway (3050x60 m), a parallel taxiway and five exit taxiways (total 85,000 m2), all flexible pavements. With time the pavements have undergone distressed and in need of maintenance. GEOCE carried out the study for TIAIP, CAAN, which included assessment of existing runway and taxiways pavement and to recommend a plan for maintenance measures to be undertaken in stages and to prepare design and cost estimate of urgent repair work. Main scope of work performed were documents review; pavement condition survey (comprising pavement distress survey, distress cataloguing, and identification of repair works needed to remedy surface distress of 256,000 sqm asphalt pavement); assessment of drainage and other works (e.g. runway lights, vegetation effect in pavement shoulders); analysis, distress rating and evaluation of pavement; identification of pavement maintenance measures for runway and taxiways; preparation of pavement maintenance plan on the basis of prioritization of maintenance needs for different area of runway and taxiways; proposal of pavement maintenance measures, options study, preliminary costing and selection of option for pavement maintenance; design and cost estimates of periodic maintenance work comprising asphalt concrete overlays and resurfacing; and preparation of implementation plan for the execution of pavement maintenance work.

Update of Airport Plan and Design of Priority Improvement Works at Simara Airport

Started in 1958 Simara airport is of the first few airports in Nepal. The airport is classified as "en-route navigation" airport; thus strategically located for major airspace to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The operating runway is approximately 1194 x 30 m. It has a cross-runway 1250 x 150m (not under use). It was proposed to extend the airport to operate HS748 type aircraft. GEOCE carried out topography survey of airport; investigation and evaluation of aerodrome pavement, drainage study, review and update of airport layout plan to future requirements based on 10 years traffic projection; review and update of future traffic forecast; design of priority works comprising asphalt concrete pavement for expansion of runway to 1500 m and associated works (drainage, fence, road, river diversion and relocation); strengthening of existing runway and apron pavements to operate HS748 type aircraft along with check for runway length and pavement requirements for heavier aircrafts (such as Fokker 100 or equivalent).

Domestic Airports Upgrading Components, Second Tourism Infrastructure Development Project [ADB Loan No 1451 NEP (SF)]

CAAN undertook upgrading of six domestic airports-Biratnagar, Lukla, Pokhara, Bharatpur, Jomsom and Jumla airports under ADB funded Second Tourism Infrastructure Development Project (STIDP). GEOCE as lead consultant provided services for design, preparation of bid documents and construction supervision and advisory support to airport upgrading works at Biratnagar, Lukla, Jomsom and Jumla airports. The design of upgrading works at Biratnagar airport included rehabilitation and strengthening of runway, taxiway and apron pavements (total about 66,000 sqm) with asphalt concrete, improvement of runway strips, drainage and water supply. Similarly, design of upgrading works at other three airports (Lukla, Jomsom and Jumla) included master planning; design of geometry improvement, surface improvement to bituminous standard with frost - resistant asphalt concrete pavement for runways, taxiway and apron (total about 60,000 sqm), drainage improvement, river training and new terminal buildings and control towers at Lukla and Jomsom airports. The consultant provided full construction supervision of upgrading works at Biratnagar airport and advisory support to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal in the implementation of above upgrading works at Lukla, Jomsom and Jumla airports. Total construction cost of upgrading works of Biratnagar, Lukla, Jomsom and Jumla airports was about NRs 452 million. GEOCE also carried out the preparation of Project Completion Reports for all six airports including Pokhara and Bharatpur airports. The design and construction of frost - resistant asphalt concrete pavement was carried out for the first time in Nepal in this project.