Sikkim greenfield airports have moved into an initial technical assessment stage, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) beginning pre-feasibility studies for three proposed sites at Ranka, Martam and Sadam. The exercise follows a proposal from the Sikkim government and is aimed at assessing whether the locations can support new airport facilities and help strengthen air connectivity across the Himalayan state.
AAI assesses three proposed airport sites
A multidisciplinary AAI technical team is carrying out site-level assessments at the three proposed locations. The study will examine a range of factors, including site suitability, aviation requirements, operational considerations, connectivity and engineering parameters.
The assessment is intended to generate preliminary technical inputs for the state and central authorities to consider the proposals further. AAI’s consultancy and coordination division undertakes feasibility studies for greenfield airports, including site selection, surveys and other technical assessments.
Ranka and Martam are located in East Sikkim, while Sadam is in Namchi district in the southern part of the state. The three sites are being examined as possible locations for new aviation infrastructure, with the broader objective of improving regional accessibility.
Sikkim greenfield airports under 2008 policy
The pre-feasibility exercise is being conducted under the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, along with provisions applicable to the North-Eastern states, according to the Sikkim Tourism and Civil Aviation Department.
The policy framework provides the basis for examining proposals for airports built on new sites. At this stage, however, the studies are focused on establishing whether the proposed locations meet the necessary technical and operational requirements.
The Sikkim government has been coordinating with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and AAI as the proposals move through the preliminary assessment process. State Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary Neeraj Pradhan and other departmental officials accompanied the AAI team during the site assessment.
What the pre-feasibility study will determine
The study is significant because Sikkim’s mountainous terrain presents particular challenges for aviation infrastructure. AAI officials are examining the proposed sites against aviation, operational, engineering and other relevant parameters before any decision can be taken on further development.
The assessment will therefore provide an early technical picture of the possibilities and constraints associated with each location. It will also help determine what additional studies, approvals or clearances could be required if any proposal advances.
However, the state government has stressed that the current exercise should not be interpreted as a final approval for construction.
No construction approval yet
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department has specifically clarified that the pre-feasibility study is only an initial technical assessment. It does not, by itself, approve the construction or development of any of the three proposed airports.
Any subsequent decision will depend on the findings of the studies, as well as applicable government approvals, statutory clearances, policies and prescribed procedures. This means the three proposals remain at a preliminary stage.
The clarification is important as the ongoing field assessment is part of the process of determining feasibility rather than a confirmation that all three airports will eventually be built.
Push to strengthen air connectivity
The initiative comes amid continued efforts to improve air connectivity in Sikkim. AAI’s Pakyong Airport is currently the state’s only airport and was inaugurated in 2018. It is located about 65 km from Bagdogra Airport and was developed as a greenfield airport under the Regional Connectivity Scheme.
The new proposals are being considered in the context of improving regional accessibility within Sikkim. Better aviation infrastructure could also provide additional options for residents, visitors and economic activity, although the eventual impact would depend on the technical findings, project approvals and future flight operations.
For now, the focus remains on gathering reliable technical information from Ranka, Martam and Sadam. The findings of the AAI assessment will determine the next stage of consideration for the proposed airports and provide the authorities with a clearer basis for deciding how to proceed.
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