SHILLONG, DEC 9: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government and the Airports Authority of India to file a present status report on the expansion of the Shillong Airport by December 11.
“We direct the State as well as the Airports Authority of India to file present status report by way of an affidavit on 11.12.2025. We expect that all required formalities for the purpose of handing over or possession of the required land with all clearances are completed in the meantime,” said a division bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice W Diengdoh in its order passed after hearing a PIL on Monday
The court has noted that several steps have been taken for the acquisition of the required land for the expansion project.
However, the court required clarity on the handing over of 11.75 acres of land claimed to have been already acquired by the State government and the demarcation/allocation of the defence land. The Ministry of Defence has granted Advance Working Permission to the State government for use of Defence land, subject to the provision of Equal Value Land (EVL).
The court noted that the Cabinet has granted approval for the acquisition of land located at Umroi Madan, Ri-Bhoi District, for the exchange of Defence land required for the expansion of the airport. Physical joint demarcation of 10.30 acres has been completed, but the matter relating to EVL is yet to be formally concluded.
“…the target dates for removal of the obstacles as communicated by the Airport Director, AAI, Shillong Airport to the Commissioner & Secretary, Transport Department,
government of Meghalaya are yet to be finalised. Unless the aforesaid formalities are completed, tender cannot be floated for the aforesaid work,” the bench said while directing the Defence Estate Officer/local military authority to complete the process of transferring 10.30 acres of land, on which demarcation has already been completed.
“We request the learned DSGI to look into the matter and expedite the process with the Defence Estate Officer /local military authority for the purpose of formally concluding the handing over of the defence land as agreed upon between the parties,” the bench further stated in the order.
The matter is listed for further hearing on December 11.
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