By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 10: The much-awaited expansion of Shillong’s Umroi Airport, a vital lifeline for air connectivity in Meghalaya, is expected to be delayed by two to three months since it is yet to receive final approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Sources familiar with the development said that while all other clearances have been secured, the DGCA’s mandatory approval is still pending. The aviation regulator will thoroughly review the safety protocols and methodology planned during the construction phase to ensure uninterrupted and secure operations at the airport.
The expansion project was awarded to KCC Buildcon Pvt Ltd, and the contractor has already begun mobilising manpower and heavy machinery at the site in preparation for the works.
The project, once started, is slated for completion in approximately 15 months. Upon completion, the airport will be able to handle larger aircraft, significantly improving air connectivity not just for Shillong but for the entire state of Meghalaya.
Under the expansion plan, the terminal building will be enlarged to 10,500 square metres. The runway will also be extended, allowing bigger planes to operate. The new terminal will feature modern amenities including a larger apron, aero-bridges, centralised air conditioning, and other passenger-friendly facilities comparable to contemporary airports across the country.
Additionally, an ATM and a food kiosk will be set up outside the airport terminal in the near future to improve passenger convenience.
Shillong Airport has long been constrained by its limited infrastructure. At present, only ATR-72 aircraft operate from the airport, restricting flight frequency and destinations. Although flights under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme were popular, they were terminated.
The airport handles 5-10 flights daily on average, connecting Shillong to Kolkata, Imphal, and Aizawl, with limited services to New Delhi twice every week.
