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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Pakyong Airport, in Gangtok on Monday.[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 100th airport of India and Sikkim’s first greenfield airport at Pakyong on Sep. 24.
The airfield spreading across 201 acres is situated on top of the hill at 4,500 feet above sea level and around 60 km from the Indo-China border. It was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in October 2008 before the foundation stone was laid a year later and finally turned into a reality on Monday
The airport is around 33 km from state capital Gangtok and the first commercial flight will commence on October 4.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Prime Minister attacked the previous governments accusing them of having neglected the northeast and said in the last four years his government has opened 35 new airports.
“Today, it is not only a historic day for Sikkim but also for the country” he said after dedicating the airport.
Modi said that in the last four years his government has dedicated 35 airports to the nation.
Emphasising on the connectivity in the Northeastern states, he said that with the opening of the new airport in Sikkim, the distance between other parts of the country have been reduced.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated the prime minister on the occasion and stated: “I congratulate PM @narendramodi for taking effective measures in bridging the gap between #NorthEast and rest of India.” Rio added that the airport, in spite of its geographic challenges, is all set to mark a new beginning.
Referring to the new airfield, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Civil Aviation, Government of India, Suresh Prabhu updated on Monday: “It marks the beginning of a new era in the aviation history of Sikkim and will boost connectivity, tourism & trade by linking this beautiful State to the rest of India by air.”
However, the Congress party has attributed the airport to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“We’re happy to see Dr. Manmohan Singh’s vision come to life through the inauguration of #PakyongAirport. We look forward to increased development in Sikkim through improved connectivity,” Congress party tweeted.
(With inputs from PTI)
Chamling requests PM for reservation of seats for two communities in Assembly
Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday to reserve seats for the Limbu and Tamang communities in the state Assembly.
the chief minister said that the Sikkim govt. had been demanding for the last 16 years to increase the number of seats in the Assembly to 40 from the existing 32, to include representatives of the two communities.
He said the other long pending demand of the govt . was to grant tribal status to 11 other communities in the state which are Bahun, Chettri, Bhujel, Rai, Gurung, Dewan, Yamaha, Yogi, Sanyasi, Mumbai and Thami.
