Meghalaya: Shillong Airport Expansion to Take Three More Years, Says Transport Minister Dhar

SHILLONG: The people of Meghalaya will have to wait at least three more years before larger aircraft can operate from Shillong Airport.

Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar announced on Wednesday that the state government is in the process of identifying 22-23 acres of additional land for the airport’s expansion and upgrade. This expansion is necessary to accommodate larger flights at the airport.

Dhar assured that the government would make every effort to complete the upgrade within the next three years, emphasizing that the process involves several steps that must be followed systematically. “There are several processes, including preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and allotment of land, but we are trying to complete everything as soon as possible,” he said.

In an order issued on December 16, the High Court of Meghalaya directed the state government to take all necessary steps to acquire the required land and hand it over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for development, preferably within three months. The expansion is seen as a significant milestone, as it will allow for the operation of larger aircraft, which is expected to be a game-changer for the state's connectivity.

The AAI is currently working on plans and proposals to expand the airport to accommodate bigger aircraft. A survey conducted earlier this year confirmed that such an expansion is feasible at the Umroi Airport.

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