SHILLONG: 13th May 2022 (PTI Source)
The Meghalaya government informed the high court on Tuesday that certain locations for a new airport in the state have been tentatively identified, as the existing one at Umroi cannot be further expanded.
After a division bench was informed about it, the state government and the AAI were given two months to present their progress report on the further expansion of the existing Shillong airport.
In March, the court ordered Maharashtra's government to provide a preliminary report on the feasibility of establishing a new greenfield airport and, if so, whether the current airport at Umroi should be expanded further.
Following the statement by AAI on the probable starting of a new project on 2,000-acre vacant land, the state has started requesting bids from the public by the 15th of May, this year.
"The state also claims that certain sites have been tentatively identified, and the AAI must take an informed decision on favourable responses to the invite proposal for those interested," the court ruled on Tuesday.
According to the AAI, however, the existing airport's runway may not be able to accommodate bigger planes.
The court also determined that “the expense of felling the neighbouring mountains may not be worth it in terms of gain.”
On July 11, the court will resume its hearing on this case.
Following the failure of efforts to extend the runway at Shillong Airport, which is roughly 30 kilometres north of the city, is when the high court became involved.