Sikkim: Centre takes stock of Pakyong airport for early resumption

The Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri on May 18 took stock of the ground situation for an early resumption of Pakyong airport in Sikkim and seeks State Government cooperation for its functionality. The minister had a telephonic conversation with BS Panth, State Civil Aviation minister in this regard.

B S Panth said that the state is waiting for Airport Authority of India’s decision for early resumption of the air connectivity to the strategically located border state of Sikkim adding that state government is ready to lend its all possible support for its operation.

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Speaking to the media, Panth said he had briefed the Union Minister in details including that the controversies of land compensation with local were already sort out after Union Government had released the compensation to the tune of Rs 20 crore.

He also informed that the widening of airport basic strip up to 40 meters have been completed in the beginning of this year on January and its waiting for its formal resumption of its service at the earliest.

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M/s. SpiceJet Limited who have authorized to operate its service to Guwahati and Kolkota in the initial period were stopped its operation on June 2019, citing unconducive landing and weather problems.

It is also said that the minister Panth has also urged the Union Minister for Civil Aviation to take decision with the service provider SpiceJet Airlines for resumption of its service or not and also seek to explore the other option with Indigo for small aircraft services connecting to other parts of the country.

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Minister Panth said that he is optimistic with the assurances of Union Minister that Sikkim may reconnect with air connectivity with rest of the country very soon.

Pakyong Green Field is falls under the category 2C airport under Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms and is clear it’s all huddles as per the laid norms of the DGCA 2 C category.

During the conversation, Union Minister said that Civil Aviation in consultation with the Airport Authority India has explored the introduction Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Required Navigation Performance-Authorization Required (RNP-AR) is being explored with the help of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

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The Greenfield airport is situated at a distance of 30 km from the state capital of Gangtok is strategically situated in Sikkim with larger interest of nation and border security at the time of its necessity was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September 2018.

The first commercial flight operations from the Airport began on 4th October, 2018 between Pakyong and Kolkata and continued till May 31, last year.

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