Shillong Airport expansion
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 8: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the state government as well as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to file a status report by way of an affidavit on matters pertaining to the acquisition of land for the expansion of the Shillong Airport.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice W Diengdoh, in an order issued on Monday said the court expected that all required formalities for the purpose of handing over or possession of the required land with all clearances would be completed in the meanwhile for the airport’s expansion.
The action taken reports filed by the state government and the AAI were taken on record during the hearing of a PIL.
“Pursuant to the earlier order, several steps have been taken in the meantime for the acquisition of the required land for the expansion of the Shillong Airport, Umroi. However, it requires clarity with regard to handing over of 11.75 acres of land claimed to have been already acquired by the State government and demarcation/allocation of the defence land since it appears that the Ministry of Defence has granted Advance Working Permission to the State government for use of Defence land, subject to the provision of Equal Value Land (EVL),” the court said in the order.
The court mentioned that the Cabinet in its meeting held on November 26 last had apparently granted approval for the acquisition of land located at Umroi Madan in Ri-Bhoi district for the exchange of defence land required for the airport’s expansion.
“Physical joint demarcation of 10.30 acres has been completed in the presence of the competent authorities. However, the matter relating to EVL for the purpose of handing/taking over of 10.30 acres of land has not been formally concluded,” the court observed.
Apart from the aforesaid, it added, the target dates for removal of the obstacles as communicated by the Airport Director, AAI, Shillong Airport to the Commissioner & Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Meghalaya, are yet to be finalised.
“Unless the aforesaid formalities are completed, tender cannot be floated for the aforesaid work,” the court ordered. It further directed the state government and the AAI to file the status report on December 11 next.
“…We also direct the Defence Estate Officer/local military authority, Umroi level to complete the process of transfer of 10.30 acres of land on which demarcation has already been completed…” the court said.
It requested the DSGI to look into the matter and expedite the process with the Defence Estate Officer/local military authority for the purpose of formally concluding the handing over of the defence land as agreed upon between the parties.
