Leh, Feb 11: In a significant development, the centre government is gearing up to open the Thoise airbase in the Nubra region in Ladakh for commercial flights as it has invited bids to build a new civilian terminal building there.Located close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, this move is seen as a massive statement from India, which is now into its fourth year of confrontation in the region with Chinese troops.
While Ladakh’s only commercial airport is in Leh, Thoise, which is in Nubra region, mainly sees defence charters from commercial airlines, but that is soon going to change as the government now seeks to build a civilian enclave there that will handle commercial flights regularly at this high-altitude base.
The government on Saturday invited bids to appoint a consultant for the coming up of a new integrated passenger terminal at Thoise, at the estimated cost of Rs 130 crore.
As per the bid document, a centrally air-conditioned Domestic Passenger Terminal Building with an area of 5,300 Sqm is expected to come up at Thoise.
“The building is to be provided with aesthetically appealing and soothing interior decoration matching the modern structure and depicting local architecture, culture, art and heritage. A detailed passenger survey will also be carried out to assess the airport’s catchment area and passenger Profile in terms of demographics, purpose of travel, spending behaviour, preferences, profession and income group,” the bid document has mentioned.
The government had sanctioned 28 kanals of land on which the terminals and other allied infrastructure for civilian flights will be coming up.
Once completed, this will be the second civilian airport in Ladakh.
