Excavators, earth-movers deployed; land acquired for village roads
Shillong, Nov 3: The work for expansion of Shillong Airport has commenced, the Meghalaya High Court stated taking note of reports submitted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the state government on Tuesday.
The contractor has deployed excavators and earth-moving machinery for runway expansion while the government has moved to ensure road connectivity to neighbouring villages, the court noted while accepting the reports.
The division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh took on record the status report filed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the action-taken report filed by the state government with respect to a PIL.
The court deferred hearing of the PIL to 14 December 2026.
“From a perusal of the status report dated 3 November 2026 tendered on behalf of AAI, it appears that the works for the expansion of the Shillong Airport has commenced and that the contractor has deployed requisite number of excavators, earth cutting and earth moving equipment and machinery for the purpose of expansion of the runway,” the Court noted.
The court further noted that the terminal building expansion will extend to the residential colony of AAI staff in front of the existing terminal, and demolition of the existing residential building in the AAI colony has commenced.
“It further appears that the terminal building expansion work will extend to the residential colony of AAI staff in front of the existing terminal and that demolition of the existing residential building in the AAI colony has commenced. To the report are annexed photographs evidencing the works going on,” the order said.
On road connectivity, the State Government informed the Court that against the requirement of 16 acres for the Runway End Safety Area (RESA), a total of 17.68 acres has already been acquired on the RWY 04 side, including land for an access road along the proposed airport boundary wall.
“As per the Master Plan prepared by AAI for the expansion of the runway at Shillong Airport, the State Government was required to acquire an additional 22 acres of land, comprising 6 acres for the Isolation Bay and 16 acres for the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) on the RWY 04 side,” the State’s report said.
“It may be noted that, against the requirement of 16 acres for the RESA, a total of 17.68 acres of land has already been acquired on the RWY 04 side. This includes land earmarked for the construction of an access road along the proposed airport boundary wall to maintain connectivity to the neighbouring villages,” it added.
The state government said due consideration was given during land acquisition to ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity for neighbouring villages.
“During the land acquisition process for the expansion of Shillong Airport, due consideration was given to ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity for the neighbouring villages. Accordingly, provision has been made for the construction of a road along the airport boundary to facilitate continued access and connectivity for local residents,” the report said.
It said the survey for the proposed boundary wall and access road has already been conducted in coordination with AAI, PWD and the Department of Land Records and Survey, and the area was demarcated during a survey on October 8, 2026.
“The survey for the proposed boundary wall and the access road along the airport boundary has already been conducted in coordination with AAI, the Public Works Department (PWD), and the Department of Land Records and Survey. The area for the proposed Roads to connect the surrounding villages has already been demarcated during the survey conducted on 8th October 2026. The PWD is currently in the process of preparing the Detailed Cost estimates for the construction of the access road,” the State said.
“Following the final demarcation of the new boundary wall by AAI, the Department shall undertake the construction of the road along the boundary. The said road will provide connectivity to the neighbouring villages and ensure that existing access routes are preserved,” it added.
Recording that steps have been taken, the Court deferred the matter.
“Since steps have been taken, the hearing of the petition is deferred to 14th December, 2026,” the Court said.
“Further status reports to be submitted on the next date,” it added.
