State to go for alternative greenfield airport
Expansion of Umroi airport & runway not feasible
Shillong, May 10: As expansion of Umroi airport is expensive, the state government has decided to go for an alternative airport .
After a report was filed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) before the High Court of Meghalaya, the government has decided to invite expressions of interest by May 15 for implementation of a greenfield project.
A pending PIL in this regard was taken up by the court, on Tuesday.
The AAI said it may not be possible to expand the existing Shillong Airport at Umroi or the runway there at to accommodate larger aircraft.
The state also agreed that the cost involved in felling the nearby mountains may not yield commensurate benefit.
During the hearing, the Advocate General informed 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.
The state also informed 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 has directed the AAI to report on the progress and the matter will come up for hearing on July 11.
