SHILLONG: Tura MP Conrad Sangma has expressed concern over the condition of Baljek airport, which is serving as a military camp now, and said he would raise the matter with the Centre.
A recent report in The Shillong Times captured the plight of the Rs 12.52-crore airport that was inaugurated in 2008 and has been left without maintenance since then.
“It is very sad to see that the airport is being converted into a military camp. It is a matter of concern and we will take it up with the Centre,” he told reporters.
Adding that he has placed queries pertaining to the airport issue that he hoped would be discussed during the ongoing Parliament session, Sangma said he would meet the Union Minister in this regard.
The State government is planning to develop Baljek airport, which is yet to become operational, at Jengjal near Tura on a public-private mode.
The West Garo Hills district administration last year had acquired 58 acres of land for the expansion of Baljek airport at a budget of around Rs.2.59 crore and handed over the airport to the State Transport department.
Reportedly the airport is in a shambles owing to lack of maintenance and the government’s callous move to ‘outsource’ the whole complex to BSF and Meghalaya police personnel. It was revealed that several crores of rupees will have to be spent again to renovate the already dilapidated airport.
Sangma is hopeful that a new central scheme will soon make the defunct airport operational.
Commenting on the problems of private airlines operating in the State, the MP said the Centre is making efforts to promote local entrepreneurs who are interested in operating small planes. “The new policy is good as the Centre is going to fund about Rs 1000 or Rs 2,500 per seat based on the distance. The government is planning to help these entrepreneurs get planes on lease,” he said.
