Tura, May 6: In a significant step towards boosting regional connectivity and putting Garo Hills back on the aviation map of the country, Meghalaya government, on Tuesday, signed a crucial agreement with the Airports Authority of India authorizing the take over of operations and maintenance of Baljek airport at Jengjal, 32 kms from Tura, that will ultimately facilitate 20-seater aircraft operations.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AAI and Meghalaya Transport Department officials in the presence of MIDC Chairman James Pangsang K Sangma , Dadenggre MLA Rupa Marak and district officials.
Expressing joy on the signing of the MoU between AAI and the transport department, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma termed today’s inking of the deal as “A very important agreement that will facilitate the operationalization of Baljek and starting of aviation services in the near future.”
“This airport was conceptualized and planned during the tenure of Late P A Sangma when he was the Tura MP. When he returned to the state and became the State Planning Board Chairman Baljek was inaugurated,” fondly recalled Conrad K Sangma who was then the finance minister of the state under the Donkuper Roy government.
It was on the 22nd of October 2008 that President of India Pratibha Patel inaugurated the airport with much fanfare and the first plane landed and took off from the runway.
“Besides transporting passengers, important products of Garo Hills that are in high demand for export, particularly agriculture products and processed items will benefit the farmers and entrepreneurs as Jengjal will become the centre,” the chief minister assured.
He said that the entire region, particularly Jengjal, will witness phenomenal growth, benefitting the people, as storage and godowns, hotels, restaurants and homestays would come up to support logistics.
UDAN Scheme to touch Baljek
The chief minister announced that plans are underway to include Baljek under the Government of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme or UDAN, once necessary infrastructure is in place at Baljek, including security perimeters, and the airport begins operation.
“We have already approached the union civil aviation minister to connect Shillong with Baljek through UDAN scheme’s 19 seater airplane under existing runway with subsidized tickets,” said Conrad Sangma as he urged stakeholders, particularly land owners, to come forward and contribute to land acquisition for the progress of Garo Hills.
The agreements signed with AAI are for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Communications, Navigation & Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) to ensure seamless operations for small aircraft. The state’s broader vision is for expansion of the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the ATR-72, to enhance connectivity and economic growth.
To support these plans, the State Government acquired 56.5 acres of additional land based on Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by AAI in 2010 and 2017.
Meghalaya government had requested AAI to take control of Baljek airport on an “as is where is” basis, to which AAI responded positively and sought upon the state acquisition of 123 acres for Phase-1 (including the earlier 56.5 acres) as well as a future addition of 115 acres for Phase II expansion of the airport for the landing of bigger aircraft.
