Meghalaya Govt to meet Aviation Ministry officials to discuss Umroi Airport expansion

Shillong: The Meghalaya government is set to discuss the expansion plan of Shillong Airport at Umroi with officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry after the Gambegre by-election.

Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar confirmed that a recent feasibility report indicates that expanding the airport to accommodate larger aircraft without cutting into the adjacent hill is feasible.

He informed that the expansion project requires an additional 16 acres of land, with the state government handling land acquisition compensation and the Union government covering other expenses.

The government will take action against landowners who have begun constructing structures to receive more compensation, he said.

The state government has also floated a tender to introduce smaller flights connecting Shillong to cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.

However, negotiations are ongoing with the Finance department due to higher-than-expected rates.

The Shillong Airport expansion aims to enhance its capacity to handle larger aircraft, with plans to extend the existing runway by 900 meters to the south.

This expansion would enable aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 to operate, boosting connectivity and economic growth in the region.