SHILLONG, July 19: The Meghalaya High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the continued delay by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in evaluating the safety assessment required for the execution stage of the Shillong Airport expansion project. The Court observed that the delay is holding up the commencement of work and could lead to cost escalation.
Hearing the matter, the division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh noted that in its earlier order dated April 22, 2026, it had already recorded that one and a half months had elapsed without the DGCA submitting its evaluation report. The Court had then observed that any further delay in granting permission would postpone the project and ultimately burden taxpayers through increased costs.
Finding that no information or instructions had been received from the DGCA despite its earlier observations, the Court directed the Registry to implead the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, New Delhi, as Respondent No. 23 and issued notice to the authority.
Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) Nitesh Mozika, appearing for the DGCA, waived formal notice and sought time, which the Court granted.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 20, 2026.
The High Court also directed the Joint Director of the DGCA to appear before it through video conferencing on the next date to explain the reasons for the delay that has kept the project stalled.
It instructed the DSGI to immediately communicate the order to the Joint Director to ensure his appearance. The Court further granted time to Amicus Curiae Phuyosa Yobin to file an additional affidavit before the next hearing.
