Agency: After years of uncertainty and technical setbacks, the proposed airstrip in Mongar may finally see the light of day. A comprehensive feasibility reassessment carried out by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) has found the Pemacholing site at Pongchula to be technically and operationally viable for airstrip construction, reviving a long-delayed infrastructure project for eastern Bhutan.
Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Chandra Bdr Gurung, during the 18th Meet-the-Press session held on 1st August 2025 shared that despite challenging terrain, modification of the ridge is feasible, allowing for the construction of an airstrip measuring approximately 1,044 to 1,100 meters in length with a 5% longitudinal slope.
However, taking into account safety margins and operational conditions, the effective runway length is expected to be between 800 to 1,000 meters.
Lyonpo said that the total cost for site development and earthwork alone is estimated at Nu 627 million (mn), excluding the final design and construction cost, which is likely to push the overall project expense even higher.The Pongchula site has been under evaluation since 2018, but was previously considered unfeasible due to difficult terrain and adverse wind conditions.
In earlier studies, five other sites Gyalposhing, Limithang, Korila Top, Thangrong and Chaskar were also assessed, but all were deemed unsuitable due to spatial limitations and terrain challenges.
The reassessment at Pongchula was carried out by the Department of Air Transport, supported by the Department of Infrastructure Development (DoID), National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Department of Survey and Mapping (DoSM), and local government officials.
