Shillong, Apr 15: The work on expansion of Shillong Airport will start very soon to facilitate landing of bigger aircraft at the airport by next year, said deputy chief minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday.
“We have good news. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has floated a tender for expansion of Shillong Airport and I hope within 2026, we will be able to get big flights landing there,” he told reporters.
Assuring that everything is in order for the expansion work to start soon, the deputy CM said land acquisition process is almost complete and release of land compensation would start soon.
Progress of the land acquisition process has prompted the AAI to float the tender, he said.
The scope of the expansion includes a 571-metre extension of the existing runway, thereby, bringing the total length to 2,400 metres. This will also facilitate the operation of A-320 type aircraft in Shillong.
In addition, the project involves the expansion of the terminal building and apron, along with various associated infrastructure works. As per the tender notice, the estimated cost of the mega project is Rs 119.44 crore, and the expected completion period is 18 months, inclusive of a three-month window for monsoons.
Earlier, terming the floating of tender as a “moment of great satisfaction and optimism” for Meghalaya, the chief minister had said, “The issuance of tender for Shillong Airport’s expansion is the result of our consistent efforts over the past several years.”
He had taken up the matter of Shillong Airport’s expansion with the Centre at multiple levels.
The AAI had submitted the draft master plan for the expansion in August 2024, and the land acquisition process for additional 22 acres required for the project is already under way.
The Shillong Airport expansion is expected to substantially enhance connectivity with major metropolitan hubs across India, paving the way for increased tourist inflow, business travel, and regional integration.
