Shillong, Mar 7: By next year, Garo Hills is likely witness resumption of flight operations from Baljek Airport, which has remained idle for 17 long years, chief minister Conrad Sangma informed the state assembly on Friday.
Stating that discussions are at last level, the Sangma said, “By 2026 we are hopeful to operate 19-20 seater aircraft from Baljek Airport.”
He also expressed the government commitment towards expansion of Shillong Airport at Umroi.
“I am sending a strong message that we are committed to (improve air connectivity) by ensuring Umroi Airport expansion (for landing of bigger aircraft) and flights start operating from the Baljek Airport,” he said while replying to a question from TMC legislator Charles Pyngrope.
To Pyngrope’s query if the government would consider extending the runway of Baljek Airport for landing of bigger aircraft to avoid challenges faced in Shillong Airport, the chief minister said Airports Authority of India (AAI) has not shown interest in inflating the project budget to accommodate bigger aircraft at this stage.
“We came to a meeting point.. let us start with 19-20 seater aircraft, but options are open,” Sangma said.
To TMC legislator Rupa Marak’s question about the 17-year delay in operationalising the airport, deputy chief minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar said, “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 informed that 211-acre land is available for development and expansion of the airport. Over 153-acre land was acquired during 1986-89 and 58 acre land acquired on July 21, 2014 for the airport project.
So far, Rs 3.58 crore was paid for land acquisition while the government also accepted the proposal for acquiring additional 68 acres of land.
“We are waiting for a joint inspection with the AAI before acquiring the additional land since 211 acre is still insufficient,” he said.
Expansion of the airport will be started after acquiring additional 68 acres of land, he said.
According to him, the decision to acquire the additional land was taken after AAI had expressed unwillingness to operate small aircraft.
