Shillong Airport Runway Extension: Meghalaya High Court Orders Inspection 2023
Shillong, the picturesque capital of Meghalaya, is well-known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. It serves as a gateway to the northeastern states of India and plays a vital role in connecting the region to the rest of the country. Shillong Airport, also known as Umroi Airport, is the primary air travel hub for the region.
However, in recent years, the airport has faced challenges in meeting the growing demand for air travel due to its limited infrastructure, especially the runway length. Recognizing the need for expansion, the authorities initiated a runway extension project.
However, this project has come under scrutiny and legal intervention, with the Meghalaya High Court ordering an inspection to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the state government have been ordered by the Meghalaya High Court to inspect Shillong Airport in order to extend the runway in the next months.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has communicated and submitted the cost estimate for evaluating the feasibility of extending the runway at Shillong Airport in Umroi town, Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice B Bhattacharjee mentioned during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing on Monday.
The bench expressed optimism that the state and the AAI will cooperate to iron out the kinks and finish the inspection in the upcoming several months. They also stipulated that the issue will be brought up again in ten weeks.
On October 15, Sniawbhalang Dhar, the Transport Minister, disclosed that the state administration is looking forward to the feasibility assessment on the possible operation of bigger aircraft out of Umroi Airport.
He said that the recently hired consultants have asked for two months to put together and turn in this feasibility study. He made it clear that no decision would be taken on the subject until the report was received. Dhar also mentioned the government’s desire to modernise the existing airport to handle bigger planes.
The domestic airport servicing Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, India, is often referred to as Umroi Airport. It’s thirty km away from Shillong. The airport opened for business in the middle of the 1970s after it was built in the middle of the 1960s. It features a single terminal that can accommodate up to 100 people at once.
Shillong Airport has been grappling with several constraints that have hampered its ability to cater to the increasing number of passengers and larger aircraft. One of the most critical issues has been the runway length.
The existing runway, which measures approximately 6,000 feet, has limited the types of aircraft that can operate from the airport. This limitation has not only hindered the development of tourism in the region but also impeded economic growth and connectivity to Meghalaya and its neighboring states.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) proposed a runway extension project that would increase the runway’s length to approximately 8,200 feet.
This extension would enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, improve passenger comfort, and enhance connectivity to the region. While the project appeared to be a welcome development, concerns began to arise regarding its environmental impact and compliance with safety standards.
The proposed runway extension project has sparked concerns among environmentalists, local communities, and aviation experts. These concerns primarily revolve around two key aspects:
- Environmental Impact: Shillong’s unique ecological diversity and its status as the “Abode of Clouds” make it an environmentally sensitive region. Environmentalists have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the runway extension on the surrounding ecosystem. Issues such as deforestation, disruption of wildlife habitats, and soil erosion have been raised as potential consequences of the project.
- Safety Standards: Airport runway extensions must adhere to strict safety standards to ensure the well-being of passengers and aircraft operations. Experts have questioned whether the proposed extension adequately meets these safety requirements, given the challenging terrain and weather conditions of Shillong. Safety considerations, including proper lighting, drainage, and aircraft rescue facilities, have been under scrutiny.
Amid growing concerns and objections from various quarters, the Meghalaya High Court stepped in to address the matter. In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by concerned citizens and environmentalists, the High Court ordered a thorough inspection of the Shillong Airport runway extension project.
The inspection, carried out by a committee of experts, aims to assess the project’s compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards. The committee comprises environmentalists, aviation experts, and representatives from the state government. Their mandate is to examine all aspects of the project, from its environmental impact to its alignment with aviation safety guidelines.
As the inspection of the Shillong Airport runway extension project progresses, the outcome remains uncertain. However, this legal intervention underscores the importance of balancing infrastructure development with environmental preservation and safety standards.
The Shillong Airport project serves as a case study highlighting the complexities associated with infrastructure development in ecologically sensitive areas. While improving air connectivity to the region is essential for its growth and development, it must be done responsibly, taking into account the unique environmental and safety challenges that Shillong presents.
The Shillong Airport runway extension project is at a critical juncture, with the Meghalaya High Court’s intervention shedding light on the concerns surrounding the development. Balancing infrastructure development with environmental preservation and safety standards is a delicate task, and the ongoing inspection will play a crucial role in determining the project’s fate. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that Shillong’s airport expansion meets the needs of the region without compromising its natural beauty, ecological diversity, or the safety of its passengers and aircraft.
