Gelephu International Airport

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk last week formally launched construction work for the upcoming Gelephu International Airport, thus pushing towards turning into reality a major infrastructure project in the Himalayan kingdom that will bring common benefit to Assam and other Northeastern states too. Part of the ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City project, the new airport will be just about 50 km from Bongaigaon, 52 km from Kajalgaon, 65 km from Kokrajhar, 115 km from Barpeta, and 130 km from Dhubri—all district towns in western Assam. Scheduled to become operational in 2029, the Gelephu International Airport is the first major infrastructure component of the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative. Currently Gelephu has a domestic airport, which is the second most important airport in the kingdom after Paro, which serves the capital. As the Bhutan King has pointed out, the karmic merit of building the new international airport project paves the way for future generations to enjoy peace, prosperity, and stability and to undertake work that will, in turn, generate merit for generations to come. A well-known visionary, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk has also gone on record saying that the upcoming international airport isn’t just about flights and travel but is also about opening doors for future generations and creating opportunities that will benefit Bhutan for years to come. It is important to note that the upcoming international airport at Gelephu is also designed to significantly benefit the Northeastern region of India by boosting regional trade, tourism, and transportation. This collaborative project aims to create an economic and strategic gateway, connecting India and Southeast Asia through Bhutan. Apart from boosting connectivity, it will also act as a gateway for cross-border tourism, allowing international tourists to explore the natural beauty and wildlife of both Bhutan and Assam. Three National Parks of Assam—Manas, Raimona, and Sikhna Jwhwlao—incidentally are located along the India-Bhutan international boundary. With the Government of India working on establishing a railway link between Kokrajhar and Gelephu, it will further enhance trade and investment opportunities. It is now for the Government of Assam in particular and the entrepreneurs, trade bodies, and educational institutions in general to grab the opportunity and create employment opportunities in the region.