East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh today expressed her concern that the Shillong-Delhi flights have not started operations regularly, which they were supposed to do in January.
“I am informed that Flybig was to operate twice a week from January 15. According to the agreement, the firm has to operate its official flight twice of thrice a week,” Lyngdoh said, adding that travel websites do not offer bookings for this flight.
The company was awarded the subsidized contract to operate the route by the Meghalaya government.
In his reply, Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the flight is important for high-end tourism.
“But now, due to Covid-19, there is low load and the flight can operates once a week,” Dhar said.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also wondered about the government’s priorities as it had given its nod for the opening of a wine shop in Umroi Airport even before setting up proper restrooms, eatery kiosks, prepaid transportation counters or pharmacies.
“These are important components for a fully functional airport that also need to be attended to,” the Congress legislator stated.
She also said that airport staff are inadequate in numbers and that local people should be trained and offered employment at the airport.
Lyngdoh also said that the entire look of the Shillong airport needs a complete facelift, with the roads leading to and from the site being in a dilapidated condition.
“This does not paint a very positive picture of the state and yet I do not see budgetary provisions to ensure that investments are made in this regard,” she added.
