Shillong: The Defence Ministry has
rejected a request to part with a few acres of land for
upgradation of the airport near Shillong, but Meghalaya
government Tuesday said it would not affect its expansion plans.
The Airport Authority of India had proposed to set up
the cargo facility in the 35 acre of defence land located in
front of the Umroi Airport, about 30 km from here, but the
Defence Ministry has refused to part with the land, official
sources said.
“I have received a letter from the Union Minister for
Defence AK Antony citing his department’s inability to part
with the land,” Vincent Pala, MP from Shillong, said.
However, state Transport Minister AT Mondal said today that it would not affect the expansion plans.
“The proposed expansion of the runway does not fall
on Defence land. Other facilities can be adjusted on the land
acquired from locals as they are willing to give their plots,”
Mondal said.
Officials said the Central government had provided
over Rs 20 crore during 2007-08 and Rs 30 crore in 2009-10 for
acquisition of land for the airport.
Umroi at present has an airport in 216 acres of land
having 6000 ft runway for landing and take-off of ATR aircraft
only but with expansion plans on the anvil the Airport
Authority of India has sought for another 200 acres of land to
facilitate daily Boeing service.
The runway will be extended to about 8,000 feet,
while plans are afoot to facilitate refuelling stations at the
airport. The airport ramp will have provisions for parking of
two airbuses.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 15:56