Sikkim airport to be operational by Jan 2012


New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) An airport being built at Pakyong in Sikkim by the Airports Authority of India at a cost of Rs 358.36 crore will be operational by January 2012, Minister of North East Development B K Handique told the Rajya Sabha today.

Replying to a debate on a private member's resolution moved by O T Lepcha (SDF), he said the state, which is devoid of proper air and road connectivity, will see development in a couple of years with various centrally-funded projects in tourism and infrastructure sectors already underway.

Fresh proposals with substantial funds are in the pipeline for Sikkim, Handique said and added that projects worth Rs 664.87 crore are being implemented under Development of North Eastern Region programmes