SARBHANG

Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu    

Mar 31, 2009: The demarcation of the Gelephu airport has now begun much to the relief of the residents in and around the dungkhag.

The move follows the recent visit by the minister of information and communications, Lyonpo Nandalal Rai. 

Demarcation of 840 acres of land for the airport is expected to be completed within 15 days. The land demarcation team will then submit the report to the government, according to the director general of department of civil aviation, Phala Dorji.

 “We do not need 840 acres of land for the domestic airport; we have acquired more space so that the airport can be upgraded to an international airport in future,” he said.

He said that the department will make a comprehensive report on the land that has to be acquired from the public and leave in the hands of the government to decide on the mode of compensation.

The DG said that the expenditure for the construction of the airport will be finalized after the master plan has been formulated. The master plan is expected to be ready within a few months. 

When asked whether the project works will be outsourced to foreign companies, he said that Bhutanese contractors are capable of undertaking the task. “We will tender out the project works as soon as the master plan is ready and funds approved by the government,” the DG said.

On asked when the residents of Gelephu will see the first aircraft land at the airport, the DG was not specific but said: “The airport will come soon; it is not far from reality. With the support from the government, it will happen soon.”