Land a major requirement for expansion of Shillong Airport: Meghalaya HC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 25, 2024

The state government is in the process of acquiring land and handing over the same to the airport authorities for the expansion of the Shillong Airport.

This was stated in an order passed by the Meghalaya High Court after hearing a PIL relating to the matter on Thursday.

The court said the runway strip of the airport is currently 1800 metres. The minimum length of the runway required for landing of large jet planes is 2400 metres. At the moment only smaller planes of the description ATR and small size jets can land on this runway strip.

“All the authorities who are represented by learned counsel before us are ad idem that this development and expansion should be executed as early as possible. The major requirement is land for augmentation of the runway. The State government is in the process of acquiring land and handing it over to the airport authorities,” it said.

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Further, the court stated that the final decision with regard to approval and execution of this project is with the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It has also directed adjournment of the hearing for six weeks.

“Considering the submissions made, we think that it would be proper if this matter is suitably adjourned to hear the submissions of learned counsel representing the Airports Authority of India, Central and State governments as to the progress made in this behalf. We think that this matter be adjourned for six weeks,” the court has stated in its order.