Meghalaya High Court Accelerates Upgrades for Shillong Airport: A Leap Towards Progress!
Meghalaya High Court Urges Expedited Expansion of Shillong Airport
Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has called on state and central authorities to hasten the long-anticipated expansion of Shillong Airport, a move aimed at accommodating larger aircraft. This directive arose during a Public Interest Litigation hearing, with Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh expressing their concerns about the ongoing operational limitations that the airport faces.
Currently, only smaller aircraft like ATRs can operate from the airport, leading to frequent weather-related flight cancellations that disrupt travel plans, impede tourism, and adversely affect the state’s economy. The court highlighted these concerns and noted comprehensive submissions from the Advocate General, representing the state government, and the Deputy Solicitor General, who presented the positions of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The court foretold that, at the current pace of work, the expanded airport may not be operational for at least two years. This expansion is critical, as approximately 22 acres of land have been earmarked for the project—10.3 acres currently belong to defense authorities, while 11.7 acres are privately owned. The defense authorities have agreed to lease their land to the AAI.
Regarding the privately owned land, the Advocate General indicated that the state government plans to pursue acquisition through private treaty, which is deemed more efficient than the lengthy and uncertain compulsory acquisition process outlined in the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. The court agreed with this approach, directing the state cabinet to consider and approve the private treaty acquisition within three weeks of its order. If approved, the acquisition of the 11.7 acres should be completed within eight weeks thereafter.
In terms of financing, the Deputy Solicitor General reported that a construction tender estimated at approximately ₹150 crore has been issued. Following agreement, the project is expected to have an 18-month construction timeline. Nevertheless, it remains contingent upon receiving environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and a green light from the DGCA.
Emphasizing urgency, the court firmly instructed both the Ministry of Environment and the DGCA to expedite their review and approval processes for the expansion. The court asserted that there should be "no scope whatsoever" for either authority to delay or defer these necessary approvals.
To ensure accountability, the court has scheduled a status report for May 15, 2025, requiring both state and central authorities to detail the actions taken in response to its orders. This development marks a significant step towards improving the capacity of Shillong Airport and enhancing connectivity for residents and visitors alike.
This article is categorized under Meghalaya, Northeast News, and Top News.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/meghalaya-high-court-orders-speed-up-of-shillong-airport-upgrade.html
Category : Meghalaya,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-05-01 10:15:00
