BHAIRAHAWA, May 23 -- The construction of a new runway at Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa was completed on Tuesday, raising hopes that the country's second international airport might come into operation by the first week of January.

The delay-plagued national pride project has achieved 73 percent physical progress with the completion of the 3,000-metre long and 45-metre wide asphalt paved runway. Project officials said that work on the taxiway was at the final stage of completion.

The airport is envisaged to serve the fast-rising business and industrial hub of Bhairahawa and facilitate international pilgrimage to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The civil works contract worth Rs6.22 billion was awarded to China...