Indian participation still uncertain; Gelephu airport doubtful

The plan for an international airport at Gelephu is not yet finalised with uncertainties over factors like Indian participation, project feasibility and massive funding requirements.
“Though the Airport is on our list of negotiations with India, they will first have to agree to the project and, second, a techno economical viability study is needed,” said the works and human settlement minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba.
The minister said that, only if viability studies showed any promise, would the government go ahead with the project. “After all, the investment required is huge and so it has to be a very well considered decision,” he said. The airport will also require Indian government cooperation because landings and takeoffs will be over Indian airspace because of its proximity to the border. Moreover, the airport will also be competing with the nearby airports of Bagdora in Siliguri and Guwahati in Assam.
The designated Indian government agency for the project, airports authority of India (AAI), since its first visit in May 2006, has still not responded to the department of civil aviation’s enquiries. “AAI was supposed to come back in 2006 September and also prepare a blueprint for the entire project but, despite numerous reminders, we have got no response till date,” said Sithar Dorji, head of policy and planning, ministry of information and communications (MoIC).
07/08/08 Tenzing Lamsang/Kuensel, Buhutan's National Newspaper, Bhutan

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Aug 2008, Foreign Aug 2008