Govt panel on job to make Baljek airport functional

SHILLONG: The State government has formed a committee to find out ways and means on how to make the Baljek airport near Tura operational.
Officials informed that the committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Commissioner and Secretary, Transport, P.W. Ingty to suggest on how to make the defunct airport functional.
“We are waiting for the report of the committee,” officials said.
It is learnt that the department has also written to some private airlines to operate smaller aircraft from the airport.  The State government is planning to develop Baljek airport at Jengjal near Tura on a public-private mode since the airport, is yet to be made operational ever since it was inaugurated by former President Pratibha Patil in October, 2008. The airport was built at a cost of Rs.12.52 crores.
The plan is to offer to private parties the idea of opening a flying club and a training institute among others which would attract private players in making the airport functional.
The West Garo Hills district administration last year had acquired 58 acres of land for the expansion of Baljek airport at a budget of around Rs.2.59 crores and handed over the airport to the State Transport department.