NEW DELHI, 21 July [PIB]: Minister of State for Civil Aviation, GM Siddeshwara, informed the Lok Sabha today that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken up the project for construction of new Greenfield Airport at Pakyong, Sikkim at a cost of Rs. 309.46 crore for operation of ATR-72 type of aircraft. So far, 83% of the work has been completed.
The project has been delayed by over 50 months due to several hindrances like poor connectivity of site, adverse weather conditions, frequent bandhs and unrest by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, earthquake in 2011 and continuous agitation by the local inhabitants of the surrounding areas of the airport project demanding compensation for damage to their houses.
The date of completion of the Pakyong Airport project can be projected / re-assessed only after all the issues pertaining to compensation and security at the site are resolved by the State Government.
The project has been delayed by over 50 months due to several hindrances like poor connectivity of site, adverse weather conditions, frequent bandhs and unrest by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, earthquake in 2011 and continuous agitation by the local inhabitants of the surrounding areas of the airport project demanding compensation for damage to their houses.
The date of completion of the Pakyong Airport project can be projected / re-assessed only after all the issues pertaining to compensation and security at the site are resolved by the State Government.
