Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Sikkim's first airport

Pakyong (Sikkim), Sep 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday initiated the primary greenfield airport of Sikkim at Paykong.

Sikkim's dream of having an airport came true nine years after an establishment stone for it was laid here, around 33 km from state capital Gangtok, in 2009.

The first commercial flight from Pakyong would start from October 4.

Pakyong airport will make ready for direct connectivity to Sikkim and is the 100th airport of the nation.

Located around 60 km from the Indo-China border, the airport is spread across over more than 201 acres and is situated on the top of a hill about two km above Pakyong town at 4,500 feet above sea level, Sikkim Chief Secretary A K Srivastava said.