Sikkim M.P. vocal against plans to shift Bagdogra airport

EOI, KOLKATA, 11 Aug 2015: Lok Sabha M.P. from Sikkim P. D. Rai has urged the Centre not to relocate the Bagdogra airport, underscoring the importance of the airport to the people of Sikkim and north Bengal, according to a Press release issued by the office of the M.P. on Tuesday.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on August 4 during the zero hour, he said the airport was the only one serving a large area, including Sikkim, north Bengal, Bhutan, lower Assam, eastern Bihar and eastern Nepal.
Rai mentioned that the airport acted as a “hub” for tourists visiting Sikkim and eastern Himalayas, including yatris travelling to Kailash Mansarovar through the recently opened Nathu La route.

He also underscored that the airport had witnessed considerable growth in air traffic. Mentioning reports that the Centre was planning to shift the airport in view of obstacles in the way of executing its expansion plas, he said issues relating to expansion could be resolved through dialogues with the West Bengal government.