Shillong, March 12: The state government has handed over 22.5 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for expansion of the Shillong Airport.
The Additional Advocate General K Khan informed the court regarding the matter.
This was part of the action taken report prepared by the Joint Secretary in-charge Transport department.
“The report is taken on record., the division bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh said
The court was hearing a PIL on Thursday.
The action taken report said that that deputy commissioner of Ri Bhoi district and defence authority have handed over 11.75 acres and 10.30 acres of land to the transport department on January 28 and February 27 respectively.
“Subsequently, the transport department has handed over the 11.75 acres from Ri‑Bhoi district and 10.30 acres of defence land to the Airports Authority of India on March 6,”it said.
The transport department gave 7.7255 acres to the Defence Estate Officer, Guwahati Circle in exchange on March 6.
The Deputy Solicitor‑General N Mozika, said some time will be required to obtain necessary environmental clearances for the expansion of the Shillong Airport, both, from the state as well as the central government.
The concept and design level approval for expansion project and other allied works have been approved by the DGCA on January 27. The AAI will apply for execution level approval to DGCA alongwith relevant documents as required.
Khan apprised the court regarding the time required for getting environment clearance from the state government, so that the project of expansion of Shillong Airport can be taken into its logical end.
The bench directed the government and DGCA to specify timelines by March 24 so that the expansion work can proceed.
