SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya on Wednesday wanted the authorities to be on red alert and work 24×7 so as to make the Umroi airport fully functional by September 30.
During the hearing on the pending matter on Wednesday, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Judge S R Sen said, “We appreciate the efforts of the AAI but at the same time, we express our anguish as the state authorities though have geared up but not on the expected line.”
The division bench made it clear that the PIL has been pending for a long time and various directions have been issued from time to time.
The court said there was breach of the time limit that was fixed a number of times.
“Now at this stage, any further delay will be totally at the peril of the authorities directly or indirectly responsible for any delay,” the court said while appreciating the efforts of the authorities in issuing the notification for reducing the time for acquisition of land.
The matter will come up for hearing after 15 days to enable the respondent authorities to file the latest status about the target to be achieved.
Earlier, Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar made a candid and fair submission that the state authorities at every level are taking all steps as required so as to ensure that the Airport becomes operational for landing and takeoff to metro cities from Umroi airport.
Regarding land acquisition, the advocate general apprised the court that the provisions of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, have been amended not to be made applicable with regard to purchase and acquisition of land by the corporation from time to time. He assured that the land acquisition proceedings will be completed at the earliest.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has also made it clear that it had already obtained environment clearance at the time when the airport was established.
AAI has filed the requisite affidavit on Tuesday stating that the work of installation and commissioning of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the airport is being expedited.
