M’laya HC directs authorities to make Shillong airport operational

Noting that essential preliminary ground work which was required to be made for expansion and development of the Shillong airport has been done, the Meghalaya High Court has asked authorities concerned to take expeditious steps to make the airport operational in the near future.
Hearing a public interest litigation concerns development and expansion of the Shillong airport on Tuesday, a division bench of the Meghalaya High Court comprising of Chief Justice Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, said, “From now, a substantial amount of work is required to be done at appreciable pace to make the project operational in the near future.”
“Expeditious steps should be taken by all authorities concerned which include the Ministry of Defence, the State government, the Airports Authority of India and the Director General of Civil Aviation so as to apply the necessary thrust for the project to become operational,” the Court directed.
The bench also directed the Ministry of Defence, the state government, the Airport Authority of India, and the Director General of Civil Aviation to file a short action taken report by August 12. During the hearing, the additional advocate general K Khan submitted a note from the state government, which the court directed to be annexed to an affidavit to be sworn by a competent officer of the State and filed by July 18. In its submission, the state said the AAI requires a total of 22 acres of land for expansion and development of the airport.
According to a draft master plan, runway 4 (RWY 4) would be extended by 571 metres taking its total length to 2400 metres. On completion of this extension of RWY 4, landing operation of aircrafts would be from the runway 22 (RWY 22) and their take off from RWY 4.
Out of 22 acres of land which are required for this purpose, 10.30 acres are proposed to be acquired from the Defence authorities.
“Acting on our observations and requests made in our last order, the Cabinet of the State Ministry on June 4, 2025 approved purchase of 11.75 acres of land for Rs 72,17,56,237 by entering into sale agreements with individual landowners. The land is expected to be acquired by July 2025,” the court said.
In April 17, 2015, the Ministry of Defence has accorded sanction to provide 10.30 acres of the military land at Umroi Military Station on an agreement with the State for transfer of land of equal value. Deputy Solicitor General of India Dr. N Mozika, who appeared for the Airport Authority of India, told the Court that the tender for carrying out construction, renovation and alteration of the infrastructure of the airport would be granted to a contractor immediately after land has been acquired and obtaining necessary environmental clearance. “The Airports Authority of India would also have to remove some impediments to aircraft operation caused by the presence of mounds, trees etc. along the flight path to the airport,” Mozika informed the court.