Expansion of Umroi to cost over Rs 7,000 crore
SHILLONG: As it seems impossible for the state government to spend over Rs 7000 crore to remove the hurdles near the Shillong Airport to make it fully functional, the government has now asked the Centre to sanction a new airport for the state.
Informing this here on Thursday, Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the state government from time to time keeps on asking the Centre to sanction a new airport for the state.
However, the Centre is yet to make any decision in this regard.
A state government delegation last year had asked the Centre to sanction a new airport for the state.
The Minister also expressed confidence that the state would be able to manage land for the new airport provided that the Centre sanctions the airport first.
Currently, one Indigo ATR 72 flight operates between Shillong and Kolkata on a daily basis and if the response is good, Indigo may go for some more flights on the route.
Despite several efforts, Umroi airport is yet to become fully operational as the runway expansion and development plans of the airport seem to have taken a backseat.
Hectic efforts were made to clear all the hurdles surrounding the airport but till date, the airport is yet to clear the main hurdle which is to chop off the massive hillock in the vicinity of the airport which would cost the state government a whopping Rs 7000-8000 crore.
However despite the setback, the state government is still keen to connect Shillong with New Delhi and other major destinations of the country.