Shillong/New Delhi, July 22: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma met Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and urged the Centre to fast-track a package of aviation projects aimed at transforming air connectivity in Meghalaya.
Sangma told the minister that the State has already completed all preparatory work on its end and now needs key approvals from the Ministry to take the projects forward.
The foremost priority placed before the Centre was the expansion of Shillong Airport at Umroi. The State has transferred 22 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India, secured environmental clearance, and AAI has already awarded the runway expansion work. Once complete, the longer runway will allow larger aircraft such as the A320 to operate from Umroi, making direct flights to major cities possible and reducing dependence on the long road journey from Guwahati. The Chief Minister requested the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to issue execution-level approval so that work can begin immediately. He also informed that the State is bearing the cost of clearing flight-path obstacles, including an estimated Rs 150 crore for the relocation of Umden Mission Village, a commitment that has also been placed before the High Court of Meghalaya.
For Garo Hills, Sangma proposed that AAI take over and operate Baljek Airport at Tura on an as-is-where-is basis. The State has offered to deposit Rs 63.67 crore upfront and has sought sanction under the Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN, with reimbursement once the project is approved. The airport is envisioned to be developed in phases, beginning with 19-seater aircraft and eventually upgrading to ATR-72 and A320 operations.
The Chief Minister also updated the minister on heliport development. Two heliports at Shillong and Tura have already been sanctioned and are under construction. The State has identified nine additional sites at district headquarters and tourist destinations and has requested sanction for at least two of them under UDAN, along with feasibility studies for all.
Following the successful seaplane demonstration held at Umiam Lake in November 2024, Meghalaya has also sought the sanction of a water aerodrome at Umiam under RCS-UDAN and the preparation of a detailed project report. The State has proposed Umiam as one of the five water aerodromes that AAI has been mandated to develop.
With land transfer, clearances and financial commitments in place, the Chief Minister said the next steps now depend on approvals from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
