Almost three months after the submission of the tender for the construction of the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) at Karipur airport, the initial steps have not yet started. This slow pace of the contract company is sure to be a setback for the development of the Karipur International Airport. 

The tender for construction-related works for RESA was finalised on December 18, 2023. It was allotted to Gawar Construction Limited in Rajasthan. The company secured this contract for Rs 322 crore, which was 20.08 percent less than the amount quoted initially. 

Construction duty was handed over to the company by the month of February. RESA expansion, water drainage system, and other ancillary works need to be completed. The primary task is to increase the runway's length from 90 metres to 240 metres. 

Prior to beginning construction, the purchased land should be cleared including cutting trees, demolishing buildings and conducting a site survey. For this expansion project, the state government had purchased 12.5 acres of land in October.  Though the land was taken over and residents from those areas were evacuated, nothing has happened after that. 

With the current situation, it is not possible to start construction of RESA before the end of August even though 19 months have been allotted for it. The main task would be to raise the level of soil on the existing runway. Primary estimates suggest 30 lakh cubic metres of soil are required for this. 

Once royalties have been paid and permission from the Department of Mining and Geology has been obtained, the soil can be transported to the airport. It is expected that this process may also be delayed as the officials are currently busy with elections. Another challenge that may arise is the restricted and delayed excavations during the rainy season. Completion of this project on the estimated date is looking unreal.