Shillong, Dec 11: In order to speed up the process for expansion of the Umroi airport, the Meghalaya High Court has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi District to complete the purchase of 11.75 acres of land from private land owners on or before January 10, 2026 and to hand over the acquired land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) within the same date.
In an order passed today, the division bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh also ordered the State government to transfer the requisite funds within two weeks from today to the Deputy Commissioner for direct purchase of 7.755 acres of land as decided by the State cabinet for the purpose of land exchange with the Defence Ministry.
As far as removal of obstacles for landing of big planes at the airport is concerned, the High Court directed the State government to complete the work within a period of four months from today.
The AAI in its affidavit before the court stated that the tender for the work expansion including runway extension, expansion of terminal building and apron and other allied works at Rs 11944.47 lakhs called on March 28, 2025. However, fresh bids had to be issued on September 9, 2025 after a bidder submitted false documents. The authority said bids opened on October 27, 2025 are under technical evaluation which will be completed by December 31, 2025 before opening the financial bid.
The AAI informed the court that it has not been updated about the outcome of the permission sought for environmental clearance. The public hearing for environmental clearance was conducted on October 7, 2025, the report of which was sent to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority on November 17, 2025.
The authority also informed the court that the observation of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the concept and design level approval for the expansion, including the runway extension, Apron, Strengthening of existing Runway, Apron, Isolation Bay and other allied works was forwarded to the Transport Department.
A request was made on October 15, 2025 to the department to share the target dates for removal of each of the obstacles along with an obstacle wise removal plan so that it can be submitted to DGCA, the AAI informed.
The court said in its action taken report the State has indicated the target for removal of the obstacles.
Further the court directed authorities concerned to expedite the matter and file a report with regard to the steps taken for completion of all formalities and clearances before the work can be undertaken by the successful bidder.
“We hope that by the adjourned date, the AAI shall be in a position to identify the successful bidder,” the court said.
Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) of India Dr. N. Mozika during the hearing handed over a letter dated August 22, 2025 issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Ri-Bhoi District to the Defence Estate Officer, Guwahati Circle regarding the valuation of the land for the purpose of determination equal value land.
On this the court directed the Deputy Commissioner, Joint Secretary of the Transport Department and the Station Commander, Umroi to hold a joint meeting to resolve the issue of land valuation with the outcome to be submitted before the court on February 10, 2026, the date scheduled for the next hearing.
“We hope all the differences in this regard shall be resolved in the meantime so that the expansion work of the Shillong Airport can commence without further delay,” the court said.
