By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 11: The High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday fixed strict deadlines for the state government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to remove all hurdles and ensure the early commencement of the long-pending expansion of Shillong Airport.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, expressing concern over repeated delays, ordered the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner to complete direct purchase of 11.75 acres of private land on or before January 10, 2026, while directing the Transport Department to hand over the land to AAI by January 31, 2026.
The court further ordered that funds for the purchase must be transferred by the Transport Department within a fortnight.
Observing that the State Cabinet has already approved purchase of 7.725 acres of substitute land on November 26, 2025, for acquiring 10.30 acres of defence land, the court directed swift completion of the land-exchange process.
The court also ordered removal of all obstacles on the flight path, preferably within four months.
The AAI was directed to expedite concept and design-level approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and to ensure immediate response from DGCA to any queries.
The court asked the AAI to complete technical evaluation of bids by December 31, 2025, following which financial bids will be opened.
Noting that a public hearing was already held on October 7, 2025, the court asked the concerned authorities to fast-track the pending environmental clearance.
Further, the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner, the Joint Secretary of the Transport Department, and the Station Commander of Umroi have been told to hold a joint meeting immediately to resolve differences over valuation of land meant for exchange with defence authorities. The outcome must be placed before the court on the next date of hearing.
Stressing the public importance of the project, the bench observed that further delay in land acquisition and clearances would cause continued inconvenience to the people of Meghalaya.
“We hope that by the next date, AAI will be in a position to award the contract to the successful bidder,” the court said, while directing all parties to file fresh compliance reports before the adjourned hearing.
