Meghalaya High Court Directs State To Conclude Land Acquisition Process For Expansion Of Shillong Airport, Runways
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
17 Dec 2024 7:35 PM IST
The Meghalaya High Court on Monday (December 16) directed the Meghalaya Government to take all steps so that the requisite area of land is acquired and handed over to the Airports Authority of India, preferably within three months, for extension of the runway and overall expansion of Shillong Airport.
The division bench comprising the Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh further directed the Director General of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to approve and implement a complete plan, resulting in the above expansion of the airport within three months of acquisition and handing over of land to the AAI by the State government.
The said directions were passed by the bench during the hearing of a PIL concerning development and expansion of the Shillong Airport. The issued raised in the PIL was the extension of the runway and development of infrastructure and other facilities in and around the airport.
The Court observed that this development of the Shillong Airport is key to advancement of this State in all respects.
“It could facilitate the operation of larger, heavier and more sophisticated jet aircrafts, carrying both passengers and cargo. This would further the economic and tourism development of the State,” it added.
The Advocate General, Meghalaya submitted that measures had been taken for acquisition of land which is required for this development work but that till date, the land could not be handed over to the airport authorities.
The Deputy Solicitor General of India appearing for the AAI submitted that the Director General of Civil Aviation is considering the proposal and plan for expansion of this airport.
While passing the above-mentioned directions, the Court noted:
“We are of the view that it is high time that concrete steps are taken for extension of the runway, development of infrastructure and other facilities and overall expansion of this Shillong Airport.”
The matter is listed again on April 14, 2025 to consider the action taken by the respondents.
Case Title: Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya v. State of Meghalaya & Ors.
Case No.: PIL No. 4 of 2021 with MC (PIL) No. 2 of 2021
