State, Centre sign MoU to upgrade Umroi airport

SHILLONG: The State Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Civil Aviation Ministry for the improvement of airports.Additional Chief Secretary in charge Transport Department Shreeranjan said last month, the State Government signed the MoU with the ministry as per the regional connectivity scheme of the Centre.The funding pattern for the improvement of the airports, especially Umroi, will be on a 90:10 pattern by the Centre and the State. Earlier, the Centre, under its Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), a regional connectivity scheme, had decided to develop as many as 46 under-served and unserved airports and airstrips in the North East.The move will help the people of the landlocked and water-locked states to fly at a subsidised rate.The Government is in the process of identifying the service providers to start flights from Umroi airport as part of the scheme. The Umroi airport has the facility to accomodate 50-seater aircraft. (Contd on P10)