Pakyong Greenfield Airport construction work stops again

PAKYONG :  The construction work of the Pakyong Green Field Airport in East Sikkim has stopped yet again due to construction related problems. The mega project was supposed to be completed in December this year, but due to various problems related to the effects of construction on surrounding lands and houses, the completion date was changed to March 2016. Earlier this year, many houses near the airport site had started developing cracks, while some gave way due to the load of the construction. This had led to stoppage of work for more than six months. However, after negotiation and compensation amounts paid to the owner of the affected houses, the work had started again in October this year. 

On Tuesday, following reports of many houses at Upper Dikling in Pakyong developing cracks, the construction work had to be stopped again.The Pakyong Greenfield Airport after its completion will be one of the top five highest airports in the country at an altitude of 4,700 meters above sea level. However, due to the topographic feature of the construction site, the project has faced many problems since the beginning. With the latest development in Upper Dikling area, the project is yet again on the verge of being stopped. Despite the problems, Airport Authority of India sources said the construction will not be hampered as 20% of the compensation to the houses which has been affected has been paid while the remaining will be paid soon. The AAI is confident of completing the long delayed airport by March 2016 and is doing all it can to complete the project according to the revised schedule.