Upgradation of Shillong Airport
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Planning Commission has approved Rs 28.45 crore for upgradation of the Shillong airport at Umroi.
Informing this, a high-level source on Tuesday said, the sanctioned amount would be released through the North Eastern Council (NEC) and it would be utilized for development of additional infrastructure facilities of the airport.
Under the approved amount terminal block and fire station would be constructed.
Sources from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) revealed that another proposal of Rs 155 crore for the expansion of the runway was pending clearance.
The present length of the runway is 6000feet and the State Government had handed over 224 acres of land last year to expand the runway to 7500 feet, which would facilitate landing of bigger aircraft.
The Rs 155-crore proposal also includes construction of apron besides other internal facilities.
The AAI sources have also stated the headman of the nearby village has stopped the construction of the boundary wall of the airport since they have not received compensation from the Government.
“Around 30 per cent work of the boundary wall has been completed,” a source said adding that they have already written to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi district about a road from Umden Madan village.
“If this road is constructed then around 4-5 kilometers journey to the airport will be shortened,” source added
There is also a proposal to setup a bank and post office near the airport and the matter has been taken up with the Central Government by Union Minister of State for Water Resources and Shillong MP Vincent H Pala.
