By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With the Umroi Airport finally becoming operational, the focus has now shifted to the second airport in the State – Baljek Airport near Tura – which is yet to be made operational despite being inaugurated by the then President Pratibha Patil on October 23, 2008.
The West Garo Hills district administration is now making all-out efforts to ‘revive’ the near-defunct airport.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi informed The Shillong Times that the district administration has already started the process of land acquisition to expand the runway since the present runway is too small and only 16-seater aircraft can land or take off from the airport.
Last month, the Deputy Commissioner held a meeting with the Airport Authority of India & Bureau of Civil Aviation in New Delhi for finalization of manpower for security at Baljek Airport. Details of the meeting were subsequently submitted to the State Government, he informed.
Bakshi informed that the manpower requirement was scrutinized in the meeting and it was decided that the State Government would either raise a special company or utilize one of the existing State police companies for barricading of the Airport building as well as looking after the complete security aspect including frisking and other airport operations.
The meeting highlighted several pertinent issues including the need for repair as well as raising the height of the Airport perimeter wall, segregation of arrival and departures and operationalization of the Air Traffic Control system.
Among other deficiencies listed out was the lack of permanent barracks for the security personnel, lack of cargo complex or cargo area and the absence of an isolation bay or watch towers. It was also observed that the Airport lacked a dedicated fire station and transport service for security personnel.
The meeting felt that the existing setup with CRPF personnel manning the Airport and monitoring the security arrangements shall remain until alternate arrangements are put in place.
Additional Commissioner of Security (Civil Aviation) DCAS Headquarters, New Delhi, RN Dhoke, who chaired the meeting was of the opinion that the DGCA shall review and grant license for the Airport but the operationalization depends upon the passenger traffic.
The State Government in its bid to make the Airport operational is contemplating to start air services from Baljek to Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong and Bagdogra.
It was also observed that revival of the Baljek Airport would provide an effective transportation facility for the horticulture produces which grow in abundance in the Garo Hills region.