Highlights: A century for country, says PM Modi as he inaugurates India’s 100th airport in Sikkim

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated Pakyong airport, about 30km from state capital Gangtok, bringing Sikkim on to the aviation map and liberating the tiny Himalayan state from its critical dependence on a sole highway for connectivity with the rest of the country. Landlocked Sikkim has no rail link . The nearest airport in West Bengal’s Bagdogra is 125 km away. Commercial flights would begin from October 4 when SpiceJet would start its daily Kolkata-Sikkim flights. The project was built at a cost of cost of ₹605.59 crore. Here are the highlights:

12:30pm IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi after inaugurating the Pakyong airport in Sikkim. (Twitter/BJP LIve)

PM Modi concludes speech

Development will reach new heights, and so will Sikkim, says PM Modi, concluding his speech.

12:20pm IST

A look at the Pakyong airport

Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji will be inaugurating the #PakyongAirport in #Sikkim today which is situated at 4500 ft and just 60Km away from India-China border.@BJP4India @BJP4Maharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis @CMOMaharashtra @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/eIFt3hIsl5— Prakash Mehta (@bjpprakashmehta) September 24, 2018

12:20pm IST

Govt making efforts to conserve environment: Modi

The government is making efforts to conserve environment in Sikkim: Prime Minister

12:15pm IST

We built nine airports in one year: PM

Created 1 airport on average in 1 year, 9 airports in 1 year on average over the past 4 years, says PM Modi attacking previous governments over lack of development in the nation.

12:10pm IST

Govt is following up on ‘sabka saath sabka vikas’: PM Modi

I came here to take the blessings of the people of Northeast. In all of north-eastern states, a lot of development has taken place for the first time -- from air to rail connectivity, to even electricity. Our govt is moving on the route of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’: Modi

12pm IST

PM Modi says it’s a ‘century for the country’

This is India’s 100th operational airport... it’s a century for the country, says PM Modi.

The airport will make it easier for common man to travel to and fro Sikkim.

11:55am IST

PM Modi addresses a cheering crowd

PM Modi starts addressing a rally at the Pakyong airport, says he dedicates the airport to the people of Sikkim.

11:45am IST

Sikkim CM says airport inauguration ‘historic’

Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling says the inauguration of the airport is an “historic” event.

“The Prime Minister is not just a PM, but also a great person,” says Chamling.

11:40am IST

We’ll build 100 more airports in 10-15 years: Prabhu

In the next 10-15 years, we will build 100 more airports in India, says aviation minister Suresh Prabhu.

11:35am IST

Suresh Prabhu addresses rally after airport inauguration

Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu says the airport is a gift from PM Modi to Sikkim. The project will benefit the people of Sikkim. It will increase tourism in the state and boost employment in Sikkim. It’s all because of the Prime Minister: Prabhu

11:25am IST

PM Modi inaugurates Sikkim’s first airport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the Pakyong Airport, near Gangtok, in Sikkim. Chief minister Pawan Chamling and aviation minister Suresh Prabhu are also present.

9:00am IST

Arrangements complete ahead of inauguration

Arrangements to accommodate 8,000 people have been made at the meeting venue, Kapil Meena, district magistrate of East Sikkim district had said earlier.