By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is one of the major requirements for making an airport operational and the system is not yet installed in the only functional Shillong airport at Umroi.
Once the system is installed in the airport, there is every possibility that more airline companies would start venturing in the airport where only one flight lands. Talking to The Shillong Times here on Saturday, General Manager Engineering AAI Regional office, Sreekumar, stated that the Airport Authority of India (AAI) presently is doing simulation study on installing the ILS in the airport.Earlier, AAI Regional Executive Director RK Singla had informed that they have targeted to install the ILS within six months in the Shillong airport.
With the absence of railways in the state, a functional airport is the immediate requirement but till date Shillong airport is only connected to Jorhat and Kolkata. Survey for the ILS has also been conducted in the airport but the matter is presently with the AAI headquarters,” Sreeekumar added. It may be mentioned that almost 35 percent air passengers in Guwahati airport are from Shillong since the Shillong airport is not properly connected to other parts of the country.
In line with the ILS, the matter regarding the expansion of the runway is still pending with the North Eastern Council (NEC)
“The proposals are awaiting the nod of the NEC,” he added here on Saturday.
The existing runway will be lengthened to 7,500 feet from the present 6,000 feet to assist aircrafts to land in low visibility or bad weather.
The airport requires much more land for it to fully become operational and the State Government is negotiating with the defence authorities to acquire land for the expansion of the airport.
It may be mentioned that the State Government handed over 192 acres of land to the Airport Authority of India to develop the airport.
