𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐨 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐨

…𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚-𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕

By Kinzang Lhamo

Paro International Airport, Bhutan’s only international gateway, is set for a major infrastructure expansion aimed at improving aviation safety and accommodating increasing air travel demand. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has announced a comprehensive plan that includes land acquisition, zoning regulation, runway extension, and the relocation of critical airport facilities. The project, divided into three phases and covering approximately 90 acres, is designed to align with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Lyonpo Chandra Brd. Gurung, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, stated that the project would prioritize safety improvements. These include establishing a 75-meter runway strip towards Chang-Dungkha and a Runway End Safety Area measuring 240 meters by 90 meters at Bondey. The runway will be extended to comply with ICAO standards. Key airport infrastructure such as aircraft hangars, the fire station, Royal Lounge, Air Traffic Control tower, and Royal Bhutan Army quarters will be relocated to facilitate terminal and taxiway expansion.

“To improve safety and accommodate the growing demand for air travel, it is essential to expand the infrastructure at Paro International Airport. This includes protecting the flight funnel by acquiring land within the red zone where no construction is allowed, limiting development heights in other zones, and extending the runway to meet ICAO standards,” said Lyonpo Chandra Brd. Gurung.

Phase 1 of the project involves acquiring 19.258 acres of land in Bondey across 82 plots for the RESA and 6.438 acres from 65 plots in Chang-Dungkha to meet runway width requirements. Phase 2 includes 24.715 acres involving 127 plots for hangar development and 11.59 acres for runway extension toward Paro College. Phase 3 will acquire 9.84 acres toward Paro Town, 12.206 acres at Khangkhu Farm for relocating airport security quarters, and 3.239 acres for highway realignment.

Two government land sites have been identified for resettlement. The first, near Uma Resort and the Youth Development Fund area, spans 74.24 acres and has basic amenities. The second, above Taju, covers 15 acres and will require significant development. A working committee with representatives from the Dzongkhag, Gewog, and Department of Civil Aviation has been formed to coordinate implementation. Phase 1 is expected to commence in the 2025 to 2026 financial year. The long-term airport master plan, currently being finalized by Changi Airports International, will confirm final land requirements by November 2025.

Despite these plans, local residents have expressed concerns over restricted land use, delayed communication, and uncertainty regarding compensation and relocation.

Sonam Dendup, Tshogpa of Changmedthanka Khangkhu under Wangchang Gewog, said, “I heard about the proposed land relocation site, which is near Uma Resort and above Taju, but it is not yet confirmed. For the expansion, they have planned to do it in phases, and our Khangkhu land is in the third phase, so I don’t know by that time where we will be allocated. I hope that we can be given land replacement near the Khangkhu only, which would be convenient for all of us.”

He added that some residents worry they might not receive land in Khangkhu if others are prioritized first. “Even the locals out here are ready to give the land to the government as it is necessary for them right now, but they are just hoping to get land replacement near Khangkhu itself.”

Dorji Wangdi, a resident of Wangchang Gewog, shared his frustration about living under restrictions without updates. “My land is very close to the airport, and for the past 10 years, we have been restricted from building new houses or even renovating the old ones. There is still no confirmed information from the airport or the government about land replacement, though we have heard rumors about areas near Uma Resort and Taju. It’s good news for the country that development is taking place, but for families like ours who have been living here for so long, cultivating, growing up on this land, relocation is not easy.”

He also raised concerns about whether compensation will reflect current land values. “I worry whether the land compensation we receive will match today’s value of money, and starting all over again in a new place is something that keeps me up at night.”

Lam Tshering, 74, from Mendrel Nakha under Wangchang Gewog, said, “If we are to shift our homes to the new land, what will we even do in an empty place where there are no roads, no electricity, and no water? We are not against giving our land to the government; we are happy to support the country’s development. But it’s been over 10 years since the discussion about airport expansion began, and still, the proposed area at Taju has no proper facilities. I just hope the government considers giving us a fair value for our land.”

He said he is prepared to give up his ancestral house if required but urged the government not to delay clarity. “It is been 7 to 8 years since they marked the land, but not a single person has confirmed anything to us.”

Jamba, another resident of Wangchang Gewog, said, “The land is taken by the airport, but we have never been called for any meeting. Though the lands and house measurements have already been taken, we raised our concern with the gewog. Last time, there was a meeting, but it was only for the town’s land demarcation. We have heard that all our land and house fall under the new airport jurisdiction, yet there is no confirmation.”

He stressed the importance of communication. “If the government urgently needs our land for development, then they should act. We are struggling, nothing is moving, and yet we are not allowed to touch our land. If the expansion is critical for safety and national priority, then why is it dragging for so long? A proper meeting would clear all the confusion we are facing.”

Chencho, a retired civil servant from Khangkhu, said, “There have been rumors about the Paro airport expansion for many years, and our land falls within the area affected. We keep hearing about it repeatedly, but there is no visible progress. People are confused and worried, especially about how the land replacement will happen.”

He added that occasional planning meetings were not enough. “With the expansion, we are facing many restrictions, yet there is no fixed date for when it will actually begin. We heard in the National Assembly that phase one will start soon, and also that some meetings were held for those in the phase one zone regarding land replacement, but there has been no public consultation for the rest of us.”

Tashi Tshering from Khangkhu said zoning regulations have affected development. “There is no such information shared from the gewog; we are just hearing rumors and only see the markings. Our lands are divided into green, red, and yellow zones. I was seeking approval for a three-storied house, but since my land falls under the yellow zone, only a one-storied house is allowed.”

He said he only learned about the zoning system after applying for construction. “It should be the government’s responsibility to inform the people. We support development, but people need proper information so they can plan for our future.”

Gyelpo Tshering, Gup of Wangchang Gewog, said several meetings regarding the airport expansion lacked substance. “We have heard about the project through various media outlets, but clarity is still missing. This isn’t a new topic, there were multiple meetings involving the Dzongkhag Administration, airport authorities, and our gewog representatives to talk about the required land and the affected households. Possible land replacement sites were mentioned, such as areas near Uma Resort, the Youth Development Fund, and Khangkhu. However, none of these were finalized, and the discussions were eventually dropped. Now, we are hearing that the new airport masterplan is being developed based on Changi Airport International.”

He emphasized the need for transparency. “Everyone is supportive, but there hasn’t been a comprehensive meeting between the government and the local people. I feel it’s very important for the government to be clear, not just for this expansion but for all development projects, on how long it will take and what exactly is planned. We understand the airport’s importance, but without clarity, it only brings more confusion and concern for the people.”

An official from the Department of Air Transport confirmed that the expansion plan includes land acquisition for the runway safety area, runway extension, and relocation of key infrastructure. “A stakeholder consultation was held on 14 March 2025 with gewog leaders and the Dzongkhag Administration. A working committee is in place to guide the process and ensure coordination at all levels,” said the official. The long-term master plan is expected by November 2025.