Now fly direct to Gangtok

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of the new airport at Pakyong on September 21 .

On September 24, the tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim got its long-awaited airport. Situated at a height of 4,500 feet (1,350 metres) at Pakyong, around 33 kilometres from the State capital of Gangtok, the airport was set up at a cost of a little over Rs. 550 crore. The first greenfield airport in the north-eastern region, it covers an total area of 202 acres (one acre is 0.4 hectare).

The Pakyong airport not only has opened up an alternative route to Sikkim but is expected to boost the State’s economy, particularly the tourism sector. Until now, to go to Sikkim one had to either take the train to New Jalpaiguri or a flight to Bagdogra in West Bengal, and from there travel by road to Gangtok, a journey that takes more than three hours.

Inaugurating the airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “This airport has not only reduced the time taken to reach Sikkim, but we have also ensured that it is affordable to the common people by linking it with the Udan Yojana. The Pakyong airport is a symbol of not just beauty but also engineering excellence in the country. The way the mountain was cut, the debris used to fill the valley, and the manner in which the mountain streams were diverted and made to pass from below the airport, is truly an engineering marvel. For this, my heartiest congratulations to all the engineers and workers involved in this project. You have truly pulled off something amazing.” Situated just 60 km from the India-China border, the Pakyong airport is also seen to be of great strategic importance for the Indian Air Force.

Although the foundation stone for the airport was laid in 2009, a number of problems, including resistance from the local people over land acquisition, delayed the implementation of the project. There were technical problems to be overcome owing to the mountainous terrain.

In its press release, the Airports Authority of India stated: “Difficult topography and hostile weather conditions made this project extremely challenging and exciting. An extensive use of Geo-grid soil reinforcement and slope stabilisation was used to maximise the development area. The reinforcement wall on the project is one of the tallest in the world.” At present, the airport can handle ATR 72-500 type of aircraft, and the terminal building has a peak-hour handling capacity of 100 passengers.

“This airport has been in the making for quite some time now and allows for quick connectivity to the rest of India. Hopefully, we will also have a connection to New Delhi soon. This also opens up our market of floriculture and organic produce as it allows for quick transportation to other parts of the country. We can also expect a boost to tourism,” P.D. Rai, Sikkim’s Lok Sabha member from the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, told Frontline.