SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has allowed the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to complete the work of extending the runway at Umroi Airport by September 30 next year.
During the hearing of the case on Wednesday, the court referred to the affidavit filed by the General Manager (Engg-Civil) AAI, Regional Headquarter, North East Region.
“When, prima facie, we find a shift in the stand of AAI now, from the posture of rather rigidity to some indication of expediency on their part, and looking to the public importance of the work, we are inclined to accept the initial submissions in the affidavit that the AAI would make all efforts to complete the work by 30.09.2018 barring unforeseen reasons,” the court said
The affidavit said that operationalisation of extended runway with ILS will be possible only after removal of identified obstacles from the approach funnel and therefore, it is necessary that appropriate directions should be issued to the State Government to simultaneously carry out and complete the work or removing the obstacles in the flying funnel by September 30, 2018.
The court expected concerned officers of AAI to file specific affidavit of progress by the next date of hearing, adding it was submitted that since after passing of the order dated December 15, 2015 in this matter, there had been several developments and it would be appropriate to reconstitute the Committee for proper monitoring of the project of expansion of Umroi Airport.
The modified monitoring committee includes Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Defence or his representative as the chairman, and members as Chief Secretary or his representative, Secretary, North Eastern Council and Director General, Civil Aviation.The Principal Secretary, Transport Department will be the convener.
The court added that the reconstituted Monitoring Committee is expected to convene its first meeting in the second week of January 2018 after due notice to the AAI and shall take note of the earlier minutes of the Committee as also the orders passed by the court.
The court expected AAI to submit its progress report as also all other submissions before the Committee concerned, who may also issue appropriate advise so as to ensure expeditious execution of the work.
The matter has been listed for hearing in the second week of February 2018.
