HSP submits letter to Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation of India; Demands “Restoration and Strengthening of Air Connectivity of Sikkim”
Hamro Sikkim Party have submitted an application to Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia pointing out their excitement of the Union Minister’s inauguration of flights connecting five cities in the NE and their sorrow of Sikkim not being included in those flights.
However, the HSP also pointed out the infancy in aviation and air travels in Sikkim and how there has to be more work done to bring about even more convenience to Sikkimese aviation.
The HSP have also made a four point demand that would help general public travelling in Sikkimese aviation.
Below are the content of the letter:
“We were excited when we read the title of the press release by your ministry on 30-Oct-22, the title was “Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates three flights connecting five cities in the North-East” but reading the details brought sadness to the people of Sikkim as the five North-East cities do not include Gangtok.
We are happy for the people of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Mizoram who have got new flights but Sikkim is left behind.
On one hand, the air connectivity and aviation infrastructure of all the states are improving, on the other hand, Sikkim is losing its air connectivity.
The only airline operating out of Pakyong Airport, Sikkim, SpiceJet has written a letter to the Director of Pakyong Airport saying “SpiceJet has decided to suspend operations out of Pakyong from 30th October 2022 till further notice. This is due to operational requirements.” This means that now Sikkim has now no air connectivity at all.
This brings lots of inconvenience to the people of Sikkim and lakhs of tourists who visit Sikkim every year.
Therefore, on behalf of the people of Sikkim, I would like to place following demands for your
kind consideration:
- Air connectivity in Sikkim should be maintained by directing at least two flight operators to run their flights from the Pakyong Airport, Sikkim.
- Atleast one international flight should run from Sikkim under the UDAN scheme.
- At the Airport the infrastructure should be as per international standards.
- The announcements at Pakyong and Bagdogra Airport should be in Nepali as well along with Hindi and English as Nepali is the mother tongue of many people of the hills including Sikkim.
