PM Modi To Inaugurate Sikkim’s First Airport In Pakyong

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate the first airport in Sikkim at Pakyong today.

PM Modi arrived in Sikkim on Sunday evening on a two-day visit to the state.

The prime minister said the Sikkim airport will improve connectivity, benefiting the people of the state. Sikkim’s dream of having an airport will come true nine years after a foundation stone of the greenfield airport was laid, around 33 km from Gangtok, in 2009. PM Modi reached Sikkim after launching the Ayushman Bharat- National Health Protection Mission from Ranchi on Sunday.

The airport is spread over 201 acres and is located on top of a hill about 2 km above Pakyong village at 4,500 feet above sea level, Sikkim Chief Secretary A K Srivastava said.

 The airport was constructed by the Airports Authority of India and at present, the nearest airport from Sikkim is located 124 km away in Bagdogra in West Bengal.