Shillong, March 7: The issue of non-functional Umroi airport for 17 years was raised by Rupa Marak (AITC).
The airport was inaugurated in October 2008.
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During the question hour, Marak wants to know the status of the project pending for many years.
In reply, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar said, “The Baljek Airport is currently non-operational. The government is in discussions with Airports Authority of India to make Baljek Airport operational for 19-20 seater aircraft.”
He said 211.13 acres of land are available for the development and expansion of the Airport. 153.13 acres were acquired between 1986-1989 and 58 acres on July 21, 2014.
“Rs 3,57,97,775 spent for land acquisition till date in respect of the development of the airport,”he said.
Dhar said the state government has accepted the proposal for acquiring an additional land of 68 acres. After land aquisition,we will start the expansion of the Airport. We are waiting for a joint inspection with the AAI before acquiring the additional land since 211 acre of land is still insufficient,” he said.
He said the government is making effort to ensure the airport is operationalised.
According to him, the decision to acquire the additional land was after the AAI has expressed unwillingness to operate small aircraft.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the government is committed to ensure expansion of the Urmoi Airport and operationalise 19-20 seater aircraft from Baljek Airport.
“Discussion is reaching almost the last level and by 2026 we are hopeful we should be able to operate the aircraft from the Baljek Airport.
Charles Pyngrope (TMC) wanted to know if the government would also consider to examine the possibility of extending the runway of the Baljek Airport for landing of bigger aircraft so that repetition of what is happening in Umroi Airport is avoided.
Conrad said he has been personally pursuing the matter at his level. “The question of cost and feasibility came in and Airports Authority of India (AAI) was not showing so much inclination to the proposal)…Therefore, we came to a meeting point to at least let us start with the 19-20 seater aircraft but we are keeping our options open”, he added.
