Govt to take three years to complete Shillong airport expansion project: Dhar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 8, 2025

The Shillong airport expansion project may take three years to be completed, said Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar on Wednesday.

He told reporters that the deputy commissioners are on the job for the identification of the additional land for the implementation of the expansion project.

“Around 22-23 acres of land is required for the expansion project and we are trying to complete the implementation of the project within three years. So let’s see, let’s hope for the best,” Dhar said.

Earlier last year, the Meghalaya High Court had passed an order directing the state government to complete the handing over of the additional land to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for expanding the Shillong Airport within a period of three months.

Asked, Dhar informed that “verbally it has been approved by the minister (of civil aviation) during his visit (to the state) so after the acquisition we will process (the proposal) accordingly and officially.”

“According to me, I want tomorrow only but frankly speaking, the system itself takes time. Land acquisition, preparation of the DPR, estimates, allotment of work and all this – so within three years it should be (completed) but we will try to complete it at the earliest possible as it will benefit our people,” he said while highlighting that it will be a big game changer when big flights can land in our own airport.

Recently, Dhar had indicated that the land acquisition will be completed within the month of March this year.

He had informed that the government has already completed the survey and now beneficiary land owners are being identified.