Shillong Airport Expansion Must Not Be Delayed | Directs Cabinet And Central Authorities To Expedite Approvals And Ensure Operations Within Two Years
Sanchayita Lahkar
The High Court of Meghalaya Division Bench of Justice I.P. Mukerji, Chief Justice, and Justice W. Diengdoh has issued directives mandating immediate steps for the expansion of Shillong Airport to accommodate larger jet aircrafts. The Court ordered the State Cabinet to decide within three weeks on a proposal to purchase private land by private treaty and directed central authorities, including the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Environment, to process all necessary approvals without delay. The Court further instructed all agencies to expedite the process to ensure the expanded airport becomes operational within two years.
This public interest litigation concerns the development and expansion of Shillong Airport, the only airport serving the capital city of Meghalaya. At present, only light aircrafts such as ATRs can operate from the existing facility due to limitations of size and runway length. The Court noted that the current situation often leads to flight cancellations, especially in poor weather conditions. This scenario causes inconvenience to residents and tourists, adversely affecting the state’s economy and welfare.
The proposed project seeks to expand the airport to allow operations of large jet aircrafts. During the proceedings, submissions were made by the Advocate General on behalf of the State government and the Deputy Solicitor General on behalf of the Airports Authority of India and DGCA.
From these submissions, the Court noted that the project may take approximately two years to complete from the present date, subject to uninterrupted progress. The land requirement for the project totals approximately 22 acres. Of this, 10.3 acres belongs to the Defence Department, which has agreed to provide it to the Airports Authority on a leave and license basis. The remaining 11.7 acres is privately owned.
The State government proposed to purchase the private land from individual owners by private treaty, instead of acquiring it under the Land Acquisition Act. This method was chosen because acquisition through the statutory process could result in delays and uncertain outcomes. The proposal for this purchase was pending before the State Cabinet for approval at the time of the hearing.
The Court noted that tenders valued at ₹150 crores have already been issued for construction. According to submissions, it is expected that construction will take approximately eighteen months from the date of entering into an agreement. However, this work is also subject to environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and the final approval of the DGCA.
The Airport expansion project, therefore, involves several stakeholders and steps, including land acquisition, environmental clearance, regulatory approval, and construction.
The Court observed that Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya, yet it remains poorly connected due to the limitations of the current airport. It recorded: “Only light aircrafts (ATRs) or aircrafts similar to it can operate in this airport as its area is small and the runway short and not deep enough for larger and heavier aircrafts to land or take off.”
The Court also noted the socio-economic ramifications of the restricted air connectivity: “The absence of any flight operating from the capital, causes great inconvenience to people and to the tourists visiting the State. It is also detrimental to its economy and general welfare.”
In reviewing the land acquisition proposal, the Court remarked that the State Government's intention to avoid delays through acquisition by private treaty appeared justified in the circumstances: “The proposal to enable purchase of 11.7 acres of land from individual owners by private treaty is most reasonable in the circumstances.”
The Court directed the State Cabinet to decide on the private treaty proposal within three weeks from the date of the order. If approved, the Court ordered that the land transfer be completed within eight weeks thereafter.
The Director General of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Environment must immediately formulate, modify or approve the required expansion plan. The Court ordered them to act swiftly and without delay.
Further, the Court directed that efforts be made to make the airport operational before two years. Finally, it ordered the matter to be listed again on 15 May 2025 to receive a status report from the State Government and Central agencies on action taken and proposed in compliance with its order.
Advocates Representing the Parties
For the Respondents: Mr. A. Kumar, Advocate General with Mr. A.H. Kharwanlang, Additional Senior Government Advocate, Ms. O.A.I. Bang, Advocate, Dr. N. Mozika, Deputy Solicitor General of India with Ms. K. Gurung, Advocate
Case Title: Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya v. State of Meghalaya and Others
Case Number: PIL No. 4 of 2021
Bench: Justice I.P. Mukerji, Chief Justice and Justice W. Diengdoh
[Read/Download order]
