By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Airports Authority of India has maintained that they have not closed down any roads leading to the different villages around the airport.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Airport Director, Shillong Airport V Mohan said that the construction of compound wall was stopped by villagers in different locations in spite of assurances that the roads would not be closed till the alternate road is constructed by the State government.
San Shnong near Shillong Airport at Umroi, the Greater Mawlai People’s Union, and Mawlai Pyllun have decided to form a joint action committee to oppose the decision of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the State Government to alienate the villages from the rest of the district by closing down roads leading to these villages.
However, AAI has maintained that that additional land was taken over from state government for Airport expansion and demarcation was carried out except in the north east side of runway 22 towards Umjathang village in February this year.
The San Shnong which include—Madan Mawkhar, Umrynjah, Umden Umsaitprah, Umden Mission and Umden Arka have alleged that the AAI and the State Government through the PWD Department has forcefully closed down the roads without the knowledge of these villages.
Meanwhile the AAI has also pointed out that it would not be possible to install the Instruments Landing Systems (ILS) without the construction of compound wall as the equipment is to be placed in the newly acquired area
“ If the villagers are not allowing the construction work of compound wall it is not possible to install ILS and AAI may shift the ILS to some other state to avoid the Audit objection in future,” V Mohan added in a statement issued here on Wednesday. The Shillong airport at Umroi has been awarded aerodrome license with the condition that trees in the approach path have to be cut immediately
“But so far villagers have not cut the trees in the approach funnel of runway 22 and 04 in spite of repeated requests from AAI to villagers,” the AAI added.
AAI also plans to construct a hospital exclusively for the benefit of the villagers who are living around the Airport and certain initiative has already been taken to establish a hospital in AAI quarters.
The villages which are opposed to the AAI move and falling under Umroi and Mawlai constituencies have asked the state government to reconsider its decision of closing down the road as it will have an impact on the livelihood of the villagers.