HC assesses Umroi airport project work

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has assessed the progress of the work at Umroi airport on Wednesday and listed it for hearing again on September 25.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Judge SR Sen examined the status report and it was revealed that for the purpose of land required for approach funnel of clusters II and III, the government sanctioned Rs 18,17,93,458.
The Transport Commissioner has been asked to disburse the money to the land owners.
The court granted exemption from the purview of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, for purchase of land on behalf of the state government.
All the land owners have signed an undertaking to hand over land on receipt of full payment. Compensation amount was scheduled to be paid through account payee cheque on Wednesday.
MTC has constituted a team of three officers namely M Wankhar, SA Sangma and W Dkhar for execution of sale deeds and arrangement of payment to the land owners as per the list provided by the Deputy Commissioner.
The status report also revealed that Rs 22,91,10,000 has also been sanctioned and placed at the disposal of the Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads), Shillong, to complete the works in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner and Airport Authority of India.
It was apprised that flight calibration of the newly installed ILS at Barapani has been completed. The initial observations indicate coverage restriction of the facility. However, the ILS approach structure and alignment is satisfactory.
Advocate S Dey said the residential houses of the two applicants are being acquired to which they have no objection but they may be given some time to make alternate arrangement.
The court said the two applications will be taken up for hearing on Thursday.