SHILLONG, Dec 16: The High Court of Meghalaya on Monday directed the state government to take all steps to acquire the requisite area of land and hand it over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), preferably within three months, for the development and the expansion of the Shillong Airport at Umroi.
In an order, a division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh directed the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), “in collaboration” with the AAI, to approve and implement a complete plan for the expansion of the airport within three months of acquisition and handing over of land to the AAI by the state government.
The court said the issue pertains to the extension of the runway besides the development of infrastructure and other facilities in and around the airport.
“In our view, this development of the Shillong Airport is key to advancement of this State in all respects. It could facilitate the operation of larger, heavier and more sophisticated jet aircraft, carrying both passengers and cargo. This would further the economic and tourism development of the State,” the court said.
The Advocate General submitted that measures had been taken for the acquisition of land, required for the development work but till date, the land could not be handed over to the airport authorities.
Appearing for the AAI, Deputy Solicitor General of India Dr N Mozika submitted that the DGCA is considering the proposal and plan for the airport’s expansion.
Amicus Curiae P Yobin submitted that the development and the expansion of the airport should be speedily completed and that, the DGCA should be noticed.
To this, Mozika submitted that the Directorate of Civil Aviation is working in collaboration with the AAI and that, a separate notice is not required.
The court was of the view that it is high time that concrete steps are taken for the extension of the runway, development of infrastructure and other facilities and overall expansion of the airport.
“We direct the State government to take all steps so that the requisite area of land is acquired and handed over to the Airports Authority of India, preferably within three months from date,” the court said in its order.
The matter will be heard again on April 14 next year to consider the action taken by the respondents.
“It is desirable that the action taken shall be embodied in a report to be submitted by the Airports Authority of India and the State government,” the court ordered.
