SHILLONG : The Meghalaya High Court has expressed concern over delays in the expansion of Shillong Airport, cautioning that any further hold-up could inflate project costs and ultimately place an additional burden on taxpayers.
Hearing the matter on Wednesday, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh noted that nearly one-and-a-half months have passed since work was expected to commence, yet the project remains stuck awaiting a crucial safety clearance.
The Bench observed that the delay could have wider implications for the airport expansion project, which is considered key to improving air connectivity in Meghalaya. It warned that prolonged inaction may lead to cost escalation and affect the overall timeline of the project.
“We are afraid that this delay would further delay the project, leading to cost escalation and indirectly resulting in taxpayers having to bear the burden,” the court observed.
The expansion project had already secured environmental clearance in March, and the construction contract was awarded to M/s KCC Buildcon Pvt. Ltd. in April. Despite these developments, work on the ground has not begun due to pending procedural approvals. During the hearing, Advocate General A. Kumar informed the court that issues relating to land exchange with Defence authorities had been resolved, paving the way for the proposed runway extension.
However, Deputy Solicitor General of India Dr Mozika informed the Bench that documents connected to the mandatory safety assessment are still under examination by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) headquarters. Only after this process is completed can the report be forwarded to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for final evaluation.
The ambitious project includes the extension of the runway, expansion of the terminal building and development of a new aircraft apron. Under the contract agreement, the entire work is expected to be completed within 18 months, including a buffer period to account for monsoon-related disruptions.
Taking note of the delay, the High Court directed the Deputy Solicitor General to update the court during the next hearing on the status of the safety clearance process. It also urged the authorities concerned to expedite the remaining formalities to ensure the project remains on schedule.
