Sikkim Knowledge Guide

Difficult topography and hostile weather conditions made this nine-year-long project "extremely challenging and exciting", according to a spokesperson for Punj Lloyd, an Indian company which built the runway. It is this harsh weather which has not allowed rail connectivity in Sikkim yet, though the Indian Railways has sanction a 44 kms long Sivok-Rangpo line for Sikkim.

The first flight from Pakyong airport will arrive on 4 October. The SpiceJet flight will operate on Bombardier Q400 turboprop jet, and will depart Kolkata at 9.30am, arriving in Pakyong at 10.55am. Till 15 October, the flight will leave Pakyong at 11.15am and reach Calcutta at 12.45pm. Thereafter, it will connect onward to Guwahati.  Pakyong will also see international flights from January, when Druk Air will start flights to Paro, Bhutan.