Shillong, Aug 26: The Baljek Airport, which is undergoing infrastructure upgradation with an estimated cost of Rs 85 crore, is targeted for commissioning by September next year, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the Assembly on Wednesday.
“There was a requirement of Rs 85 crore to improve overall infrastructure there which we have already sanctioned. The MoU for handing over of the airport has been decided and once that is done we will give that money to them,” he said in reply to a question.
Earlier, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had sought around Rs 2 crore per year for operations and management of the airport on the outskirts of Tura.
“We expect the MoU and handover to AAI in September. From that point, about 8-9 months will be required to renovate old buildings and re-do the current runway,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister said parallel work is on to secure air connectivity, with operators of 19-seater aircraft showing interest in routes like Kolkata and Shillong.
“We are examining those routes and will proactively work to make them successful. While runway infrastructure comes up, route finalisation will also happen. We hope both will be completed within nine months and by next September we will be able to start operations,” he said.
Describing Baljek as an emotional project, he said, “This is something late PA Sangma started. It is very important for me personally and for all of us. There are many challenges but we are working very hard.”
On his meeting with the Union Minister, Sangma said, “He is a very dear friend from my short stint in Parliament when we sat together. I told him this is one gift you can give me – to operationalise Baljek Airport.”
He also said works at Shillong Airport are progressing and the government is on track to meet deadlines.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar said AAI is preparing a revised Master Plan for expansion of Baljek (Tura) Airport to facilitate operation of ATR-72/Q-400 and A320 category aircraft.
Replying to a question by Ampati MLA Miani D Shira on the status of the expansion, Dhar said AAI would undertake a LiDAR survey and feasibility assessment to determine technical viability and exact land requirement for the proposed expansion.
“Simultaneously, the Government of Meghalaya has entered into an O&M MoU on 6 May last year with AAI and is presently pursuing the matter with AAI to takeover, develop and operate the airport on an ‘as-is-where-is’ basis,” he said.
He added that upon finalisation of the Master Plan and assessment of land requirements by AAI, the State Government will take necessary steps for acquisition of the required land for expansion of the airport.
