By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 1: The state government will hold a meeting with officials of the Civil Aviation Ministry after the Gambegre by-election to discuss the plan for expansion of the Shillong Airport at Umroi.
Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Friday that the state government held a meeting with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) last month to discuss the expansion proposal.
Informing that a recent feasibility report has stated that expansion of the airport to facilitate landing of bigger aircraft without cutting the adjacent hill is possible, Dhar said the meeting with the Ministry will be regarding certain guidelines that have to be fulfilled.
Informing that the government would require around 16 acres of additional land for the expansion of the airport, he said the land acquisition compensation has to be taken care of by the state government while other expenditure would be borne by the Union government.
On reports that landowners have already started building structures to avail more compensation, the minister said the government will take appropriate action in this regard.
Asked to comment on reports that SpiceJet and Air Alliance have stopped their services on some routes, he said this falls under the domain of the central government and not the state.
Stating that the state government has already floated a tender to introduce smaller flights to connect Shillong with cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, the minister said the matter is being discussed.
It is learnt that some bidders have responded to the tender but since they have quoted higher rates the matter is being discussed with the Finance department.
