The state government is hoping to acquire more land in order for the non-functioning Baljek Airport to have a runway of 2.2km in length.
This was stated by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in the Assembly today.
Umroi Airport, which services Shillong, is affected by two issues – the short length of the runway and the presence of nearby hills that prevent the use of the Instrument Landing System.
Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin raised the issue of Baljek Airport. Momin reminded Transport Minister Dasakhiatbha Lamare that the airport was sanctioned in 1995 at a cost of Rs 12.52 crore and was inaugurated in 2008.
Lamare said that his department is still working on the matter and aims to make it operational.
Sangma, meanwhile, said that land acquisition is progressing in order to expand the runway. Unlike Umroi, Baljek does not have the hill terrain that makes landing jet aircraft difficult.
“We are working towards creating a 2.2km runway in Baljek Airport. We’re hopeful that things will move much faster,” Sangma stated.
