Shillong, Dec 18: The Meghalaya High Court has ordered the state government to complete the process of land acquisition for expansion of the Shillong Airport and hand over the same to Airports Authority of India (AAI) within next three months.
“We are of the view that it is high time that concrete steps are taken for extension of the runway, development of infrastructure and other facilities and overall expansion of this Shillong Airport. We direct the State government to take all steps so that the requisite area of land is acquired and handed over to the Airports Authority of India, preferably within three months from date,” stated the court order issued after hearing a PIL on Monday.
The bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh also directed the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in collaboration with the AAI, to approve and implement a complete plan, resulting in expansion of Shillong Airport within three months of acquisition and handing over of land to AAI by the state government.
The court listed the PIL for further hearing on 14 April 2025 while seeking submission of action taken report by AAI and the state government on that day.
Underlining the importance of the airport expansion project, the court said, “In our view, this development of the Shillong Airport is key to advancement of this State in all respects. It could facilitate the operation of larger, heavier and more sophisticated jet aircrafts, carrying both passengers and cargo. This would further the economic and tourism development of the State.”
Meanwhile, the state’s advocate general submitted that measures had been taken for acquisition of land required for development work, the land could not be handed over to AAI yet.
Dr N Mozika, deputy solicitor general of India appearing for AAI submitted that the DGCA is considering the proposal and plan for expansion of this airport.
Amicus curiae P Yobin submitted that the development and expansion of the airport should be speedily completed and that the DGCA should be noticed. To this, Dr N Mozika submitted that the DGCA is working in collaboration with the AAI and that a separate notice is not required.
