Shillong, August 14: The Meghalaya High Court has strongly criticised both the Centre and State over the slow progress in the Shillong Airport expansion project, directing immediate acceleration to complete the long-pending work.
A division bench of Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh noted the lack of urgency and commitment from both governments despite acknowledging the project’s importance. While the State has released ₹72.17 crore for acquiring 11.75 acres of land, no sale agreements have been signed with landowners, and the court termed the fund transfer a mere procedural step.
The bench also pointed out that although the Army has agreed to provide some land, the demarcation between military and state land remains incomplete. It further noted that the Airports Authority of India can finalise construction contracts only after securing DGCA and environmental clearances, as well as acquiring the required land.
The court stressed that the process must be accelerated beyond the “usual government pace” and directed both the Centre and State to file action-taken reports by the next hearing on December 8, 2025. Environmental clearance is expected by October 31, 2025, but DGCA clearance is still pending.
