The State government is yet to respond to the cost estimate submitted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the LiDAR (light detection and ranging) survey to be carried out in the area around Umroi Airport to ascertain the extent to which the existing runway can be extended.
During the hearing in the Meghalaya High Court today, the AAI through Deputy Solicitor General Nitesh Mozika informed the court that Rs 4 crore was required for the LiDAR (light detection and ranging) survey which will be outsourced to an agency.
The sophisticated survey was proposed to be conducted to ascertain the extent to which the existing runway can be extended and whether it may at all be feasible for wider-bodied aircraft than ATR and Bombardiers to operate from the airport.
“It is hoped that the AAI and the State work out the modalities and complete the necessary inspection within the next couple of months,” the division bench of the High Court said while listing the matter for hearing on February 2, 2024.
