The Meghalaya government has formally requested the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to take over Baljek Airport, located in Jengjal, West Garo Hills District on an Operations and Maintenance (O\&M) basis, in a renewed effort to boost air connectivity.
The aim is to operationalise the airport for 20-seater aircraft, which will also set the stage for future expansion, including infrastructure upgrades to accommodate larger aircraft such as the ATR-72.
The State requested AAI to take over the airport on an “as is where is” basis to initiate the necessary development and operational procedures.
In response, AAI expressed willingness to take over the airport and requested acquisition of 125 acres for Phase-I (including the earlier 56.5 acres), with a future addition of 115 acres for Phase-II in 2020.
The AAI had submitted the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) prepared in the years 2010 and 2017 based on which the State government acquired 56.5 acres of additional land.
During the signing of the memorandum of agreement today, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the responsibility of maintaining the airport and operating the flight services now vests with the Airport Authority of India.
He said that the airport is a valuable asset not only for the people of the area but for the state as a whole. With its operationalisation, the airport will be a game changer for the people of the area as Jengjal will become an important place and centre for Garo Hills, he stated.
The chief minister informed that Regional Connectivity Scheme under Udaan Scheme from Shillong to Baljek has been taken up with the Aviation Ministry. Nineteen-seater flights will be started under RCS from Shillong to Baljek, he informed.
He also sought the cooperation from the public in the land acquisition process for the expansion of the airport and urged the Deputy Commissioner to ensure that the process of land acquisition is not delayed and extension of the runway to be taken up immediately to facilitate landing of both cargo and commercial planes.
