GANGTOK, OCT 1:

The Airports Authority of India has begun pre-feasibility studies for three proposed greenfield airports at Ranka, Martam and Sadam in Sikkim, the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department said on Thursday.

According to it, a multi-disciplinary technical team of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is assessing the suitability and feasibility of the three proposed sites from technical, operational, aviation and other perspectives.

The department said the pre-feasibility studies under the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, and provisions applicable to the northeastern states would provide preliminary technical inputs for further consideration of the proposals.

The proposed locations were being examined to assess the scope for strengthening air connectivity and improving regional accessibility within Sikkim, it said.

The department clarified that the pre-feasibility exercise was only an initial technical assessment and did not constitute approval for construction or development of the proposed airports.

Any decision on the three proposed airports would depend on the findings of the studies and applicable approvals, clearances, policies, statutory requirements and prescribed procedures, it said. (Source: PTI)