Shillong airport expansion gets strong local backing at Umroi public hearing
Residents and village leaders from areas surrounding Umroi voiced strong support for the proposed expansion of Shillong Airport during a public hearing held on October 7. The consultation, organised by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, focused on plans to upgrade the airport to handle larger aircraft and improve regional air connectivity. The expansion, estimated to cost ₹500 crore, will see the airport area increase from 5,000 sq m to 10,500 sq m. The project includes extending the runway from 1,829 metres to 2,400 metres, enabling operations of larger jets such as the Airbus A320.
Once completed, the upgraded facility will accommodate five A320 aircraft at a time and allow direct flights to major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. Officials from the Airports Author...