The Meghalaya High Court has directed the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner and Transport Department to complete the direct purchase of 11.75 acres of private land for Shillong Airport expansion and hand it over to the Airports Authority of India by January 10.
The bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice W Diengdoh issued the directive citing the importance of the project and delays in land acquisition.
The state government’s action report had proposed handing over land by January 20, with the Transport Department transferring possession to AAI by January 31. However, the court advanced the deadline to January 10 to expedite the long-pending expansion project.
For the acquisition of 10.30 acres of defence land, the Ri-Bhoi DC has identified suitable land for exchange in coordination with defence authorities. The state cabinet approved direct purchase of 7.725 acres on November 26 to facilitate this exchange.
The court directed the Transport Department to transfer requisite funds to the DC’s office within a fortnight, with the entire process to be completed within four months.
AAI informed the court that the original tender called on March 28 for runway extension, terminal expansion, and apron works was compromised after the lowest bidder submitted false documents. A fresh tender was issued on September 9, with technical bid evaluation currently underway.
AAI is obtaining concept and design approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The court directed DGCA to respond promptly to any approval requests to ensure timely project completion.
The 18-month construction timeline will commence once land acquisition and approvals are finalized.