New Delhi: October 29

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has bagged the Greentech Corporate Social Responsibility Award for its greenfield airport at Pakyong in Sikkim. Greentech Foundation has selected AAI for Greentech CSR Award 2011 in Gold category in the aviation sector, a senior AAI official said. “Construction of Sikkim airport has been the true example of how new technologies can be used to minimise impact on environment, saving in cost as well as speeding up construction work,” he said. AAI, as part of the CSR initiatives, has established paper recycling unit, medical camps in the villages besides educating the villagers. The airport operator has established Pakyong health centre according to the need of local community. The centre, with an estimated cost of Rs 66 Lakh, was inaugurated by former Secretary Civil Aviation M M Nambiar last year. The centre would cater to more than 100 small hamlets in 25 km area around Pakyong town having population of 14,000. Apart from it, the AAI has set up rural water supply scheme for Lossing and Dikling villages at an estimated cost of Rs 39.90 lakh. The official said that construction of New Airport at Sikkim required huge cutting and filling work. “Considering the geological conditions in Sikkim including seismic and environment, it was essential to adopt a design which not only meets the safety requirement but also blends well with the surroundings which are totally green,” he said. Accordingly, new design and technology using local stones, earth vegetation and high strength geogrid was adopted which has proved not only environment friendly but has also resulted in speedy construction, flexibility and saving. The retaining walls were already constructed up to 52 metre height and withstood the September 18 earthquake that left over 90 persons dead.

PTI

 

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