New Delhi, July 22: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma met Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu here on Tuesday, pressing the Centre to fast-track a slate of aviation projects that the state says are now ready to move forward, having completed its own share of the groundwork.
Shillong Airport Expansion Tops the Agenda
The runway expansion at Shillong Airport in Umroi remains the state’s top priority. Meghalaya has already handed over the required 22 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), secured environmental clearance, and seen AAI award the runway works to a contractor. A longer runway would allow larger aircraft, including the A320, to land at Umroi — opening the door to direct flights from major cities and reducing travellers’ reliance on the long road trip from Guwahati.
Sangma asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to grant the execution-level approval needed to begin the awarded work, even as obstacle removal along the flight path continues in parallel. The state is funding this obstacle clearance itself, including an estimated Rs 150 crore for relocating Umden Mission Village — a commitment it has also reaffirmed before the Meghalaya High Court.
Baljek Airport: A bid to bring Tura onto the map
For the Garo Hills, the state has proposed that AAI take over Baljek Airport in Tura on an as-is-where-is basis and operate it as a full AAI airport, with Meghalaya offering to front the estimated Rs 63.67 crore project cost. The plan envisions a phased rollout, starting with 19-seater aircraft before scaling up to ATR-72s and eventually A320 services. Sangma sought the airport’s sanction under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), with the state seeking reimbursement of its upfront deposit once approval comes through.
Heliports and a Water Aerodrome on Umiam Lake
Beyond the two fixed-wing airports, two heliports — at Shillong and Tura — are already sanctioned and under construction. The state has now identified nine additional sites at district headquarters and tourist destinations, and has asked for at least two of these to be sanctioned under RCS-UDAN, alongside feasibility studies for the remaining locations.
The Chief Minister also revived the case for a water aerodrome at Umiam Lake, building on the successful seaplane demonstration held there in November 2024. Meghalaya has sought RCS-UDAN sanction for the project and a detailed project report, positioning Umiam as a candidate among the five water aerodromes AAI has been mandated to develop nationally.
