Shillong Airport’s long-pending runway expansion has moved into the execution stage with all requisite clearances secured. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the work for the extension of the runway has started. The development is significant for the Northeast as the expanded runway is expected to enable larger aircraft to operate direct services between Meghalaya and major metropolitan centres, strengthening the State’s air connectivity with the rest of the country.
Talking to media persons, Sangma said, “The clearances required for Shillong Airport Runway expansion, all the clearances have been approved. I am happy to announce that the work for the extension of the runway has started.”
Sangma said the project had faced several challenges, which were resolved following detailed discussions and his recent visit to Delhi. “We had a lot of challenges, but after detailed discussions and also my last visit to Delhi, these matters were sorted out. and as the said the work for the extension of runway has started. We expect that this work will be completed in a maximum of the next 15 months, though we are hoping it will be faster than that,” he said.
He said the State expected the expanded runway to facilitate the direct operation of larger flights from major metropolitan centres by 2027. “By next year, 2027, we do hope and expect that larger flights from the different metros will be landing directly at Umroi Airport,” Sangma said.
