Meghalaya High Court Urges Acceleration of Shillong Airport Expansion
Court’s directive aims to prevent further delays as AAI awaits land handovers ahead of issuing a work order to Preeti Buildcon
Overview
- The Meghalaya High Court ordered the Airports Authority of India, state government, Defence Ministry and DGCA to file a status report by August 12 detailing expedited expansion steps.
- The AAI has designated New Delhi–based Preeti Buildcon as the lowest bidder for runway extension, terminal expansion and apron strengthening, with a formal work order pending completion of procedural formalities.
- State cabinet approval covers the acquisition of 11.75 acres of private land at a cost of ₹72.17 crore, while the Defence Ministry has sanctioned 10.3 acres at Umroi Military Station subject to land-swap arrangements.
- Environmental clearance procedures have been initiated and are projected to take roughly three months before construction contracts can be issued.
- The master plan proposes extending the runway by 571 metres to 2,400 metres, doubling terminal space to 10,500 sq metres and increasing daily passenger capacity from about 300 to approximately 1,600 by mid-2027.