Shillong, Feb 20: Trinamool Congress MLA Miani Shira raised the issue of non-functional Baljek airport in West Garo Hills on Tuesday.
In reply to the question moved by Shira, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge transport department Sniawbhalang Dhar said that 68 more acres are needed so that ATR type of aircraft can land at Baljek airport.
To supplementary questions by Charles Pyngrope (TMC), Dhar said currently the area has only Rs 120 acres.
Dhar said the government will explore small aircraft to land at the airport at Jengjal, 33 km from Tura.
To a supplementary question by Ardent Basaiawmoit(VPP), the deputy chief minister said the information on the construction cost of the Baljek airport is not available with him.
The cost of construction was Rs 12.52 crore.
The airport was inaugurated on October 23, 2008 by then President Pratibha Patil in the presence of then chairman of Meghalaya state planning board PA Sangma.
Two aircraft-four seater Cessna and 19 seater Dornier -had landed at the airport.
A proposal was sent to the Centre in 1983 to construct the airport at Baljek and the project was sanctioned only in 1995. The inauguration was further delayed due to the issues related to infrastructure facilities.
