Airport expansion picks up pace after SC boost

SHILLONG: The expansion of Shillong airport has picked up pace after the breather from the Supreme Court of India in a recent order.
The state government has directed the Ri Bhoi district administration to expedite the process of developing the airport and the runway.
Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Chinmay Gotmare said the administration has asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to complete the boundary wall at the earliest.
However, the stream that passes through the airport has swollen due to rainfall and the department may have to wait before taking up the construction work.
The Ri Bhoi administration will review the follow-up measures to develop the airport on August 10.
The Supreme Court last week directed the state government to start the expansion work without delay, besides asking it to take action against anyone who obstructs the work. Earlier, the High Court in 2015 had asked the government to make the airport fully functional.
However, a land owner filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the land acquisition that led to the apex court ordering a stay on land acquisition that affected the expansion of the airport.
The stay was vacated last week.
As per the North East Council’s monthly progress report, the boundary wall of the airport is 83 per cent complete and work on the air traffic control tower is 5 per cent done.
The Airports Authority of India will require around Rs 180 crore for the expansion. NEC has also given in principal approval for funding the runway.