Local leaders of Monggar are not happy with the recent news that the district cannot have an international airport at Pongchula. During the last parliament session, the Information and Communications Minister said that Pongchula ridge could not meet the minimum requirement of runway length. Some local leaders in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu raised the need for the relevant agencies to carry out the feasibility study once again in consultation with the local governments.
During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, Monggar Gup Tenzin Wangchuk said the people of Monggar Gewog are unhappy about the government’s decision to drop the plan. Pongchula is about five kilometres from Monggar town.
The Gup said having an international airport in Monggar will promote social and economic development in the district. It will also allow the six eastern districts to reap the benefit of the tourism industry.
“Considering the importance of the airport for the entire nation, I am hopeful that the house will support the motion to submit the proposal on the re-deliberation of the feasibility study of Pongchula airport in the next parliament session,” said Monggar Gup, Tenzin Wangchuk.
Some local leaders said that the relevant agencies must identify the different sites if Pongchula ridge is not feasible.
“Even if we exclude Pongchula Goenpa, the runway distance will come to about 1.9 kilometres. Since tourism is one of the sectors to promote development in the eastern region, an airport is a must in Monggar,” said Shermuhoong Gup, Dorji.
“The relevant agencies like District Administration, local governments, and district engineers must collaboratively do the feasibility study once again. If Pongchula is found impracticable to develop as an airport then it is our responsibility to identify a different location to establish an airport,” echoed Thangrong Gup, Changa.
The wait is still not over for the residents of Monggar as well.
“The plan of constructing an airport has been there for a long. But the construction work has not yet started. Having an airport in Monggar will immensely help us to reach Thimphu and other places within an hour,” said Leki, a resident of Monggar town.
The report of the feasibility study conducted by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the National Land Commission states that Pongchula is not feasible to develop as an airport as the field length of only 920 meters is not even enough to operate the smallest aircraft.
A minimum of 1,200 meters is required for a runway to operate the smallest aircraft in the country. Wind direction, aligned ridge and the huge cost to align the runway are some other reasons why Pongchula cannot be converted into an airport.
Various feasibility studies were carried out since the possibility of developing Pongchula ridge as an airport emerged in 2018. Since then the politician also used the subject during their election campaigns for political gains.
Member of Parliament of Monggar constituency, Karma Lhamo also pledged to accelerate the development of Pongchula airport during her bye-election in May last year.
Meanwhile, the Dzongkhag Tshogdu resolved to submit the resolution to the Ministry of Information and Communions for review.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
Edited by Phub Gyem
