PM Inaugurates Pakyong Airport ..As Air Connectivity Reaches Sikkim

PIB, Gangtok   24 SEP 2018 : The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Pakyong Airport in Sikkim. This is the first airport in the Himalayan State, and the 100th airport in the country.

Addressing a large public gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister described the day as a historic one for Sikkim, and an important one for India. He said that with Pakyong Airport, the country has hit a century of airports. The Prime Minister also mentioned the young cricketer from Sikkim, Nilesh Lamichanay, who recently became the first cricketer from the State to score a century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The Prime Minister said that Pakyong Airport would greatly ease connectivity to Sikkim. He said that in order to ensure that it is useful to the common man, this airport is part of the UDAN scheme.

The Prime Minister said that emphasis is being given to enhance both infrastructural and emotional connectivity in the entire North Eastern region, at a rapid rate. He said he has personally visited the North Eastern States several times to review development work. Besides this, he added, Union Ministers also regularly visit the region. He said the results of this are visible on the ground. He mentioned enhanced air and rail connectivity, better roads, big bridges etc.

The Prime Minister said that out of 100 airports in the country today, 35 have been operationalized in the last four years.

The Prime Minister mentioned Sikkim's progress in organic farming. He mentioned that the Union Government has initiated the "Mission Organic Value Development for North Eastern Region." 

Also present on the occasion are Governor of Sikkim Shri Ganga Prasad, Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly Shri K N Rai, Chief MInister of Sikkim Shri Pawan Chamling, Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Commerce Shri Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister of State for Deveopment of North Easter Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh, and Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Shri S S Ahluwalia and Sikkim's Transport Minister Shri DT Lepcha. 

In his speech the Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Pawan Chamling thanked the Prime Minister for providing a strong and visionary leadership which has made the country highly respected on the world stage. He requested Prime Minister to address few pending issues concerning the state so that everyone benefits from the development process.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Commerce and Industry Shri Suresh Prabhu said that the new airport is a gift by the Prime Minister to Sikkim that will usher in greater development of the state with tourism and organic farming, especially floriculture, getting a boost resulting in more employment and increased income for farmers.