Bhur to have a domestic airport

Department of Civil Aviation Bhutan (DCAB) has done all preparations to carryout structural survey for construction of a domestic airport in Gelephu.

File photo Druk air

A divisional engineer at DCAB said, soon the department would kick start road mapping and site development activities in Bhur in Gelephu.

For construction this airport, the department was looking for around 500 acres land owned by citizens. DCA and district officials of Sarpang finalized the compensation matrices for those who would be displaced from their lands. The government agreed to replace lands of those who qualify for entitlements.

The Ministry of Finance has been asked to formulate the compensation measure and matrices.

The current land compensation schemes for national development projects lack provision to for land replacement while acquire land and farms owned by the citizens if landholding falls below 10 decimal. Such owners are entitled for cash compensations.

Next to Paro, a domestic airport in Bumthang is expected to come in operation soon when a British airline received a contract to operate domestic flights connecting different parts in the country.

DCAB is working for domestic airports in Samtse, Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar, and an international airport in Gelephu.