Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has urged the Centre to fast-track a package of critical aviation projects that could transform air connectivity across the state. In a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi, Sangma pressed for urgent clearances to expand Shillong’s Umroi Airport, revive the long-dormant Baljek Airport in West Garo Hills, develop a water aerodrome at Umiam Lake, and expand the state’s network of heliports.

The Chief Minister told the Union Minister that Meghalaya has already completed much of its share of the preparatory work and is ready to move forward once the required central approvals are in place. The proposals form part of a broader strategy to reduce the state’s dependence on Guwahati as the primary air gateway, boost tourism, and improve access to remote districts.

Shillong Airport Expansion: Breaking the Runway Barrier

Shillong Airport, located at Umroi about 30 kilometres from the state capital, has long operated under severe capacity constraints. Built in the mid-1960s and made operational in the 1970s, the airport currently has a single concrete runway measuring 1,829 metres (approximately 6,000 feet). This length restricts operations largely to turboprop aircraft such as the ATR-72 and Dash-8 Q400. Larger narrow-body jets like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 cannot operate safely under normal conditions.

Passenger traffic has been growing. In the financial year 2024-25, the airport handled nearly 1.2 lakh passengers, a rise of over 22 per cent from the previous year, along with more than 2,600 aircraft movements. Yet the limited runway continues to force many travellers to use Guwahati Airport, involving a journey of three to four hours by road.

The expansion plan seeks to extend the runway southwards to 2,400 metres. Once completed, the airport will be able to handle Airbus A320-class aircraft, opening the door to direct flights from major metros. The state government has already handed over 22 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), secured environmental clearance, and awarded the runway expansion contract. The terminal is also set to be expanded significantly to handle higher passenger volumes.

One of the remaining hurdles is the removal of flight-path obstacles. The state has committed to relocating Umden Mission Village at an estimated cost of nearly ₹150 crore. This financial burden is being borne entirely by the Meghalaya government, a point Sangma reiterated both to the Union Minister and earlier before the Meghalaya High Court. The Chief Minister specifically requested Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) execution-level approval so that construction can proceed without further delay.

Baljek Airport: Ending 17 Years of Silence

While Umroi serves the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the western part of the state has remained poorly connected by air. Baljek Airport, located near Tura in West Garo Hills, was inaugurated in 2008 by the then President Pratibha Patil. Built at a cost of over ₹12 crore, the facility has remained non-operational for around 17 years. Airlines have been reluctant to operate services, citing commercial viability concerns and infrastructure limitations.

Sangma has now sought the Centre’s approval to bring Baljek under the Airports Authority of India and develop it in phases under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN). The state government has offered to deposit the entire estimated project cost of ₹63.67 crore upfront, with the expectation of later reimbursement. The initial phase aims to support 19-seater aircraft. Subsequent upgrades would enable ATR-72 operations and, eventually, larger jets such as the Airbus A320 if land and terrain permit.

Reviving Baljek would be particularly significant for the Garo Hills region, which has historically lagged behind in infrastructure. Improved air links could support medical evacuations, tourism to places such as Balpakram National Park and Siju caves, and easier movement of people and goods between Tura and the rest of the country.

Heliports and the Umiam Water Aerodrome

Beyond fixed-wing airports, the meeting also focused on helicopter and seaplane connectivity. Heliports at Shillong and Tura are already under construction. The state has requested approval for at least two additional heliports from a list of nine identified locations covering district headquarters and key tourist destinations. These would operate under the UDAN scheme and provide last-mile connectivity in a state characterised by steep hills, heavy rainfall and limited road networks.

A more novel proposal is the development of a water aerodrome at Umiam Lake (also known as Barapani). In November 2024, a successful seaplane demonstration was conducted on the lake, showcasing the potential of amphibious aircraft for tourism and short-haul connectivity. Sangma has asked the Ministry to sanction the project under UDAN, prepare a detailed project report, and consider Umiam as one of the five water aerodromes to be developed by AAI across the country. If realised, the facility could link Shillong with other tourist circuits, including possibly Kaziranga in Assam, while offering visitors a unique aerial experience over Meghalaya’s scenic landscapes.

Connectivity as an Economic and Social Priority

Meghalaya’s difficult terrain has always made surface transport slow and weather-dependent. During the monsoon, landslides frequently disrupt the national highways that link the state to Assam and beyond. Air connectivity is therefore not merely a convenience but an economic necessity. Tourism remains one of the state’s most promising sectors, yet many potential visitors are deterred by the complicated journey required to reach Shillong or the Garo Hills.

Direct flights from major cities would reduce travel time dramatically and make weekend tourism more viable. Better air links would also help farmers and entrepreneurs move perishable goods, support medical travel for specialised treatment, and strengthen administrative connectivity between the capital and distant districts.

The state’s willingness to invest its own resources—whether in land acquisition, village relocation, or upfront project deposits—signals a strong commitment. Officials argue that once the basic infrastructure is in place, commercial demand is likely to follow, especially under the supportive framework of the UDAN scheme that provides viability gap funding for regional routes.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Significant obstacles remain. Mountainous terrain makes runway extension and obstacle clearance expensive and complex. Environmental clearances, land acquisition sensitivities, and coordination between multiple central agencies can slow progress. In the past, ambitious expansion plans for Umroi had to be scaled back because of the prohibitive cost of cutting hillocks. The current southern extension is designed to avoid the most expensive obstacle-removal works.

For Baljek, commercial viability will depend on consistent airline interest and the ability to expand the facility over time. Weather conditions in the hills can also affect operational reliability.

Nevertheless, the meeting between the Chief Minister and the Union Civil Aviation Minister marks a renewed push to resolve long-pending bottlenecks. With the state government having completed key preparatory steps, the focus has shifted to central clearances—particularly DGCA approval for Umroi and formal inclusion of Baljek under AAI and UDAN.

If these projects move forward as proposed, Meghalaya could finally acquire a more robust and balanced aviation network. An expanded Shillong Airport capable of handling larger jets, a functional Baljek Airport serving the Garo Hills, additional heliports, and a pioneering water aerodrome at Umiam would collectively reduce the state’s isolation and unlock new possibilities for tourism, trade and everyday travel. The coming months will show whether the Centre responds with the urgency the state is seeking.

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