By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 25: The Umroi airport runway expansion is expected to be completed in 2027 making possible for larger aircrafts to operate.
Around 11 acres of land has been acquired by the state government, while the Centre has allocated around Rs 500 crore necessary funds for the purpose.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, it will take good 18 months to complete the expansion of the runway.
“The runway extension at Umroi will be ready by 2027,” Dhar announced, adding, “Once completed, we will finally be able to welcome wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 on a regular basis.”
At present the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is evaluating the tender process. Shortly, a joint inspection will be conducted before work gets underway.
The technical evaluation of bids is a mandatory step before the tender is officially allotted.
He said that the state is closely tracking this stage, as the final award of work will be issued only after AAI completes its assessment.
Dhar, who also holds the Transport portfolio, said that he held a review meeting with his officers earlier in the day, where he was briefed that AAI’s technical scrutiny is still in progress.
He indicated that the Centre has been engaged on the matter, noting that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has taken up the expansion of two airports in Meghalaya – Shillong and Baljek – with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Tenders would be allotted only after the AAI concludes its evaluation process, he reiterated.
On the question of preparedness at the state level, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government is now waiting for the AAI to conduct a joint inspection of the proposed expansion area. He added that the state has finalised the additional land required for the project, describing this as an essential step to ensure that the expansion proceeds “in the right direction.”
Dhar further said that the contractor entrusted with the expansion project will be given an 18-month time frame to complete the work once the AAI completes the required process. He insisted that this structured schedule reflects the government’s intention to move the project forward without delay, while ensuring all technical and administrative procedures are completed properly.
The government’s plan to expand the Shillong Airport at Umroi has already received strong support from local villagers.
The support was evident during an “environmental public hearing” conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board in October for the airport’s proposed expansion.
The project includes the extension of the runway, expansion of the terminal building, and augmentation of the apron area. Locals and officials of the AAI also participated in the public hearing.
