SHILLONG: Despite all talks about the urgent need to improve air connectivity, the Meghalaya Government does not seem too eager to set things rolling at the earliest. A classic example is the case of Baljek Airport near Tura, the revival plan for which has been put in cold storage.
Speaking to The Shillong Times recently, Sreekumar, General Manager (Engineering), Airports Authority of India, said that AAI had submitted a development plan for the airport to the government in 2011 but the State is yet to respond to the proposal.
Sreekumar felt that the Baljek Airport can be used for regional connectivity. “The airport can be used for operating smaller flights within the region,” he said.
He added that the Umroi airport, which has a basic infrastructure runway, can be used by interested operators if any.
It has been learnt that the State government has formed a committee to find out ways and means to make the Baljek airport operational. The State Transport 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.
The airport is yet to be made operational ever since it was inaugurated by former President Pratibha Patil in October 2008. It was built at a cost of Rs 12.52 crore.
The West Garo Hills district administration had acquired 58 acres of land last year for the expansion of Baljek airport at a budget of around Rs 2.59 crore and handed over the airport to the State Transport department. The expansion of the airport will pave way for landing of at least a 30-seater aircraft.
