The law college (extreme right) is located next to the helipad. Picture by Ashit Rai

Gangtok, Aug. 3: The fifth floor and roof of the new state law college building coming up at Sichey-Burtuk, next to the helipad, is likely to obstruct smooth take-off and landing of choppers belonging to the government’s helicopter service.

Officials of Pawan Hans had earlier pointed out the obstruction to the state tourism department, which in turn had written to the commissioner- cum-secretary of the state human resources development department, calling for a joint inspection of the site to sort out the problem.

The Sikkim helicopter service, the only air service in Sikkim, is operated by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC), a unit of Sikkim Tourism.

Special secretary of tourism K. K. Pradhan confirmed that there had been a complaint in this regard by pilots and officials of Pawan Hans.

“I have written to the commissioner- cum-secretary asking for a joint inspection of the site to find a solution. The department is awaiting a reply so that a time and date can be fixed,” said Pradhan.

P. K. Dong, the executive director of STDC, said the pilots had mentioned that since the fifth floor of the college building had risen above the ground level of the helipad, they had faced some inconvenience in smooth take-off and landing of the choppers. He, however, admitted that there was no immediate danger and the obstruction was not dangerous.

“It is only a precautionary call since safety is our foremost concern,” Dong said.

Officials also admitted that according to the guidelines of the director-general of civil aviation, the areas in close proximity of the helipad should be open spaces.

Construction of the law college building, being built at a cost of Rs. 1.85 crore, began three years ago. It is now nearing completion.

The fifth floor has already come up and the building will have a tinned roof in Sikkimese design, the work for which is yet to begin.

Officials also said sometimes the chopper might have to use a particular route, which involves flying over the college due to changes in wind direction.

Chief engineer at the state human resources development department G. P. Sharma confirmed that the letter sent by the tourism department had been received. He said the executive engineer had been asked to visit the site and submit a report. He also said the construction of the law college would be completed in three months. Helicopters ferry passengers to the state from Bagdogra.