Heavy aircrafts may soon land in Meghalaya’s Umroi airport: Deputy CM

Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the plans for expansion of the airport depends on the report to be submitted by the new consultants

Heavy aircrafts may soon touchdown the runway at the Umroi airport in Meghalaya once it gets expanded. But the expansion can happen after the feasibility report is submitted by the consultants to the Meghalaya Government.

Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the government will decide on the future course of action once the government gets the report. He said, “We are waiting for the report from the new consultants to be submitted by them. They requested us to give them 2 months time. When they submit a report only then we can take a call.

Regarding land acquisition there are two problems, there are 2 hillocks.

We want to make this present airport functional for the big aircraft. If the final report says it is not feasible then we will examine the matter and how to go forward.”

Initially, the government had contemplated a plan to remove the two hillocks, which were identified as obstacles impeding the landing of larger aircraft at the airport. However, this plan was temporarily shelved due to the significant financial expenses associated with it.

Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar further stated the issue of land acquisition will be looked into only after the consultants submit their report.

“Now the new consultant is for how to make the big aircraft land and secondly we have to wait for the reports. And suppose the report is okay and then we will consult with them as to how much more land is needed. And then we will go for the new land for the expansion. The previous land acquisition is not for the expansion, it was only for removal of hillocks only.

By 2 months the consultants will be able to submit the report and then we will see. We want to start (expand) if the report is feasible,” Dhar added.

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