By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Shillong Airport at Umroi is expected to have the Instrument Landing System (ILS) within the next six months.
“We are targeting to have the ILS in the Shillong Airport within the coming six months. All the necessary equipments are there with the Airport Authority of India (AAI). We have to complete the necessary formalities before finally installing the ILS at the airport,” AAI Regional Executive Director RK Singla informed during the Round Table Discussion on Meghalaya Urban Infrastructure organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce here on Wednesday.
While maintaining that the AAI is committed to making the airport fully operational the airport, he said that the expansion project of the runway is in the pipeline and that would pave the way for the landing of bigger aircrafts.
Singhal said that the new runway will be lengthened to 7,500 feet from the present 6,000 feet and will be realigned with the existing runway which will be equipped with Instrument Landing System to assist aircrafts to land in low visibility or bad weather.
While informing that the State Government is negotiating with the defence authorities for acquisition of the 32 acres of land for expansion of the runway, he also informed that the AAI would require another 18 acres of land for construction of the quarters of its staff and also for CISF personnel who would be providing security for the airport.
Earlier, Transport Minister Abu Taher Mondal had informed that to facilitate landing of bigger aircraft, a total area of 224.16 acres of land have been acquired for the airport’s expansion.
“We have handed over 192 acres of land to the Airport Authority of India to develop the airport and the Government has sought Rs.26 crore from the DoNER Ministry for the airport’s expansion,” Mondal had informed.
Meanwhile, Singla informed that the State Government has waived off tax on aviation fuel to encourage airlines to operate between Shillong airport and more destinations within the region and the country.
“At present the airport does not have refuelling facility but the State Government has decided to exempt aviation fuel tax to attract airlines in the near future to land at Shillong airport,” AAI Regional Executive Director said.
He further said that the exemption was also aimed at attracting domestic and international tourists to Meghalaya.
“Once we have good air connectivity, then there will be a constant flow of tourists to Meghalaya, ” Singla added.
Meanwhile, Singla informed that the AAI has recently completed the detailed survey of the Tura Baljek Airport.
“We have also submitted the DPR of the airport to the State Government,” the AAI Regional Executive Director said.
He informed that the Government will soon get an ATR which can carry 35 passengers from Tura to Shillong on a daily basis.
According to Singhal, the Government wants the ATR aircraft to land in the Tura Baljek Airport.