SHILLONG: The state government has to spend Rs 8,000 crore to cut cluster-1 so that bigger aircraft can land in Umroi airport.
During the course of hearing on the pending matter on Tuesday, the counsel for Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said without cutting cluster-I, it will not be possible to grant permission for landing of regular turbojet (boeing aircraft) at Umroi airport. Further, it was submitted by the counsel that cutting of cluster-I would involve an expenditure of Rs 8000 crore.
Amicus Curiae, however, pointed out that similar situation exists at the airports of Mizoram, Sikkim and Leh where DGCA had already accorded approval and boeing aircraft are landing.
The court directed the DGCA to produce the entire record regarding grant of sanction for landing turbojet at the three airports, Mizoram, Sikkim and Leh.
The court also asked the DGCA to provide details of Rs 8000 crore in the form of an affidavit.
The DGCA will also submit the list of obstacles, which according to them, are required to be removed before sanction could be accorded to the Airport Authority of India for landing of turbojet, the court said.
The matter will come up for hearing on July 15.
