Picture Courtesy : AAI
In a first for Sikkim, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it’s first airport at Pakyong near capital Gangtok. Built at a cost Rs 605.59 crore . The new airport adds another feather in the states cap as it in the last three to four years, achieved the distinction of becoming the first Organic State and also the first open defecation free state of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his journey to Sikkim
Serene and splendid!
Clicked these pictures on the way to Sikkim. Enchanting and incredible! #IncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/OWKcc93Sb1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2018
The airport, is a Greenfield airport which will circumvent the need for a five-hour journey through mountainous roads and bring citizens of Sikkim closer to the state capital.
Located around 60 km from the Indo-China border, the airport is strategically relevant from a security point of view. The Indian Air Force will also find this airport convenient for landing and taking off, Union Minister for Development of Northeastern Region, Dr Jitendra Singh remarked .
