SHILLONG: The state government is exploring the idea of air-linking the two biggest cities in the state — Shillong and Tura. The move, if successful, could be of great benefit for the Garo Hills region.
Revealing this while speaking to newsmen here on Monday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the Shillong-Tura flight service is on the cards adding that the government’s intention is to operate a smaller flight between the two towns, which are strategically located at a distance of over 300 kilometers from each other.
While the government moots this idea, the Baljek airport in Garo Hills, despite being inaugurated around 10 years ago, yet remains non-functional.
Reacting to a query, the chief minister said that the government has already decided to hand over the Baljek airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for runway expansion besides other developmental works.
“The process is under way although there are some hiccups due to the COVID-19 situation. However, we will soon hand over the airport to them (AAI),” Sangma said.
On the resumption of Shillong-Kolkata flights, the chief minister said that it is up to the airlines to take a call on restarting the services. “We cannot force them even though we want the services to begin soon”, he said while adding that the government would discuss the scenario with Indigo.
Indigo had stopped their services from Shillong earlier this year following the spread of COVID-19. But now, though Shillong airport is ready for operation, it seems that Indigo is seemingly unresponsive to resume the flights.