The Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government to take a cabinet decision to approve buying of 11.7 acres of land for expansion of the Shillong Airport at Umroi within three weeks.
The court also directed the Director General of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Environment to formulate, modify or approve the required plan for expansion of the airport.
The division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh passed the order today after taking up the public interest litigation (PIL) on the expansion of Umroi airport.
Advocate General Amit Kumar told the court that the State proposes to buy private land from individual owners and not acquired under the Land Acquisition Act as the latter would be time consuming and uncertain in its ultimate outcome.
The court said the proposal is most reasonable and that the cabinet should immediately approve on terms and conditions it thinks fit and proper for speedy completion of the work.
“We direct that the cabinet takes its decision within three weeks from communication of this order and if the decision is in favour of acquisition of land by private treaty, the transfer of 11.7 acres should be completed within a further period of eight weeks,” the court added.
The court was informed that the Airports Authority of India requires a total of 22 acres of land for expansion and development of the airport, out of which the Defence department is already prepared to provide 10.3 acres on leave and licence basis.
Deputy Solicitor General Dr. Nitesh Mozika who appeared on behalf of the AAI, informed the High Court that a tender valued at Rs 150 crore has been issued for construction of the expanded airport. He said from the date of entering into the agreement it would take 18 months or so to complete the construction.
Mozika said that environmental clearance has to be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and the Director General of Civil Aviation is required to approve the proposal.
“After land has been acquired and tenders have been invited for construction of a new airport, there is no scope whatsoever for the Director General of Civil Aviation or the Ministry of Environment to hold up sanction of any plan for airport expansion. Both the authorities are directed to forthwith formulate, modify or approve the required plan for expansion of this airport,” the division bench said.
Earlier, the High Court said that only light aircrafts (ATRs) or aircrafts similar to it can operate in Shillong airport as its area is small and the runway short and not deep enough for larger and heavier aircrafts to land or take off.
As a result, even when there is a brisk breeze or diminished visibility, aircrafts are unable to land or take off from this airport.
“Hence, there is frequent cancellation of flights. The absence of any flight operating from the capital causes great inconvenience to people and to the tourists visiting the State. It is also detrimental to its economy and general welfare,” the court observed.
The High Court decided to hear the matter on May 15, 2025 to await the action taken report from the AAI and the State government.
