Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The Division Bench of Meghalaya High Court comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Judge W Diengdoh on Tuesday postponed the matter on development of the Shillong Airport at Umroi for two months allowing the state and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to prepare a report on the progress.
Hearing a PIL, the court noted, “Learned Advocate-General reports that following the AAI’s indication that a greenfield project could be commenced elsewhere upon 2000 acre of land being available, the State proposes to invite expressions of interest from the general public by May 15, 2022. The State also submits that some sites have been tentatively identified and it is for the AAI to take a call upon any favourable response to the invitation for expression of interest.”
The court further said that the Airports Authority of India reported that it may not be possible to expand the existing airport or the runway to accommodate larger aircraft.
The court also observed that the state agrees that the cost involved in felling the nearby mountains may not yield commensurate benefit.
“Accordingly, let the matter stand over for two months for the state and the AAI to report on the progress,” the court stated.
The matter is listed for July 11, 2022.