Shillong, July 22: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has sought the Centre’s intervention to fast-track a series of aviation projects, including the long-awaited expansion of Shillong Airport, the revival of Baljek Airport in Garo Hills and the development of a water aerodrome at Umiam Lake, in a bid to transform air connectivity in the state.
During a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi on Monday, Sangma said the State Government had completed its share of work on the proposed projects and urged the Ministry to expedite the approvals needed to move them forward.
The Chief Minister pressed for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to grant execution-level approval for the expansion of Shillong Airport at Umroi. The state has already handed over 22 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), environmental clearance has been secured and the runway expansion contract has been awarded.
Once the runway is extended, the airport will be able to handle larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320, paving the way for direct flights to major Indian cities and reducing Meghalaya’s dependence on Guwahati for air travel.
Sangma also informed the Union Minister that the state is bearing the cost of removing flight-path obstacles, including nearly ₹150 crore for relocating Umden Mission Village, a commitment it has reiterated before the Meghalaya High Court.
For Garo Hills, the Chief Minister sought the Centre’s approval to bring Baljek Airport near Tura under the Airports Authority of India and develop it in phases under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN). Meghalaya has offered to deposit the estimated ₹63.67 crore project cost upfront, with the expectation of reimbursement after approval. The airport is planned to initially handle 19-seater aircraft before being upgraded for ATR-72 and eventually Airbus A320 operations.
The meeting also focused on strengthening helicopter connectivity. While heliports at Shillong and Tura are already under construction, the state requested approval for at least two more heliports from among nine identified locations across district headquarters and key tourist destinations under the UDAN scheme.
Sangma further proposed the development of a water aerodrome at Umiam Lake, building on the successful seaplane demonstration held there in 2024. He urged the Ministry to sanction the project under UDAN and prepare a detailed project report, proposing Umiam as one of the five water aerodromes to be developed by the Airports Authority of India.
The proposals are part of Meghalaya’s broader strategy to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism and strengthen access to remote parts of the state.
