Sikkim's first airport at Pakyong
Punj Lloyd Group, the diversified engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) conglomerate, today announced winning the contract to build Sikkim's first Greenfield airport project in Pakyong. The new airport will make a significant contribution to the tourism infrastructure of the state. Awarded by Airports Authority of India (AAI), this contract is valued at Rs 264 crore and is scheduled for completion in 24 months. The scope of work will include construction of 30 m wide runway of 1.7 km length, taxiway, apron drainage system and electrical work for the Airport.
Building an airport in the hilly terrain of Sikkim will be an interesting challenge. The airport will be built at a height of 1404 m above mean sea level. The scope of work shall involve excavation of 100 m depth and earth filling of slopes of 80 m height, stabilised with Geogrid Reinforced Retaining Wall. A large volume of earthwork, 65 lac m3, shall involve blasting in hard rock apart from excavation in soft rock and soil. To protect the environment, excavated slopes of 100 m height will be planted with local species of flora.