Gangtok, Mar 27: The Sikkim Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution proposing the renaming of Pakyong Airport as Trilochan Pokhrel Airport, in honour of the state’s first notable freedom fighter. The resolution, moved by Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia and seconded by MLA Aditya Golay (Tamang), seeks approval from the Government of India for the change.

Pakyong Airport, a greenfield facility located at an altitude of 4,848 feet, was inaugurated in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India’s 100th airport. Serving as the main air connectivity hub for Sikkim, the airport is proposed to be renamed to commemorate Trilochan Pokhrel, recognizing his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle.

The Sikkim Cabinet had approved the renaming proposal on March 19. Following the Assembly’s recommendation, the matter will now be submitted to the Central government for final approval.

Trilochan Pokhrel, also known as “Bande Pokhrel” or “Gandhi Pokhrel,” was born in Tareythang, East Sikkim. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, he participated in the Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India movements, promoting Gandhian values including simplicity, self-reliance, non-violence, and the use of khadi and local industries. The resolution highlighted his role in linking Sikkim to the wider national freedom movement.

In other legislative business, the Assembly passed the Sikkim Appropriation Bill for the First Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2025–26, introduced by Chief Minister and Leader of the House Prem Singh Tamang. The bill provides for appropriation from the Consolidated Fund of the State to meet supplementary expenditure for the remaining part of the financial year 2025–26.