AAI initiates pre-feasibility studies for proposed Greenfield Airports at Ranka, Martam and Sadam in Sikkim

GANGTOK,: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has initiated pre-feasibility studies for three proposed Greenfield airport sites at Ranka, Martam and Sadam in Sikkim, following a proposal submitted by the Government of Sikkim.

A press release from the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department informs that the pre-feasibility studies are being undertaken by a multi-disciplinary technical team of AAI to assess the suitability and feasibility of the proposed sites from technical, operational, aviation and other relevant perspectives. The exercise will provide preliminary technical inputs for further consideration of the proposals in accordance with applicable policies, guidelines and statutory requirements.

The initiative is being pursued under the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, along with the provisions applicable to the North-Eastern States.

The Government of Sikkim has been closely coordinating with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, and the Airports Authority of India in taking forward the proposal.

The proposed locations at Ranka, Martam and Sadam are being examined with the objective of assessing the scope for strengthening air connectivity and improving regional accessibility within Sikkim, said the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department.

It was informed that the pre-feasibility exercise will cover key parameters including site suitability, aviation requirements, operational considerations, connectivity, engineering aspects and other technical parameters necessary for a preliminary assessment.

The initiative is being pursued under the leadership and guidance of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, with the continued support and concerted efforts Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tshering T. Bhutia, and the Minister of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The continued engagement and regular review of the issue of air connectivity to Sikkim by the concerned leadership and authorities have provided significant impetus to the State’s efforts towards strengthening and expanding air connectivity, the release mentions.

A multi-disciplinary technical team from the Airports Authority of India is undertaking the pre-feasibility studies. The team comprises of Roshan Dasu Kamble, General Manager (Aero-Planning), CHQ; Sunil Prasad, General Manager (Engg.-Civil), CHQ, WR/NER; Gaurav Yadav, Dy. General Manager (Arch.), CHQ; Amit Srivastava, Asst. GM (CNS), Pakyong; Sachidanand Pandey, Sr. Manager (ATM-CFD), CHQ; and Prashant Gupta, Sr. Manager (Ops.), CHQ.

From State Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, the team led by PCE cum Secretary Neeraj Pradhan accompanied by senior officers attended the said assessment.

The team is undertaking site-level technical assessment and examination of the relevant parameters for the proposed locations.  The findings of the pre-feasibility studies will provide the necessary technical inputs for further consideration of the proposed Greenfield airport sites.

“It may be noted that the pre-feasibility study is an initial technical assessment and does not, by itself, constitute approval for construction or development of an airport. Any further decision regarding development of the proposed airports will be subject to the findings of the studies and the applicable approvals, clearances, policies, statutory requirements and prescribed procedures,” said the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department.

The Government of Sikkim will continue to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and other concerned authorities for taking the proposal forward in accordance with the applicable framework, the release mentions.