The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to acquire the requisite land for expansaion of Shillong airport and hand it over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) within three months.
The bench of Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh were hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning the development and expansion of the Shillong airport.
The PIL sought the extension of the runway and development of infrastructure and other facilities at the airport.
The court has also directed the Director General of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the AAI, to approve and implement a complete plan for the expansion of the airport within three months of land acquisition.
The court emphasized the importance of the airport’s development, stating that it would facilitate the operation of larger aircraft, promoting economic and tourism growth in the state.
The court listed the PIL for further hearing on April 14, 2025, directing the AAI and the state government to submit a report on the action taken.