Shillong, Oct 10: The work in expansion of Shillong Airport at Umroi will commence soon as tender for the project has already been called, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar informed on Friday.
“The tender has been called, which means the work is moving ahead,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said, the land acquisition process has neared completion as disbursement of compensation to landowners has already started.
Expressing optimism about the Central project’s timeline, Dhar said he expects the expansion of the airport to complete 2027, enabling operation of bigger flights.
“I will try my best to complete the airport at the earliest possible. By 2027, I should be able to give you bigger flights,” he said.
Goods train: Public consent paramount
Reacting to the demand for goods train, Dhar said the government will go by the wish of the people.
“We are here for the people. If people agree, there is no problem for us,” he said.
However, he stressed that any decision on the matter would require broad consensus.
“We have to take everybody on board only then, as a government, we will take a decision,” he added.
He also made it clear that it had to be a comprehensive decision incorporating views from all concerned regions.
“No Jaintia, no Khasi (region), whoever will be ready, then we will take a call,” he said.
