Shillong airport being expanded: Minister

The process of acquisition of land for expansion of the Umroi Airport on the outskirts of Shillong was under progress with the villagers finally agreeing to part with land, Transport minister AT Mondal said.

The process of acquisition of land for expansion of the Umroi Airport on the outskirts of Shillong was under progress with the villagers finally agreeing to part with land, Transport minister AT Mondal said.

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Informing that 34 acres of land was required for the purpose, the minister said that though they were initially reluctant, the villagers have now agreed to part with land against suitable compensation by the government.

"Recently I held meeting with the villagers and they have agreed. The deputy commissioner was directed to initiate land acquisition proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act, 1984 and it is expected to be completed shortly,” he said in reply to a question by James Sangma of the Opposition yesterday.

Chief minister Mukul Sangma intervened to point out that though it had been difficult to prevail upon the villagers to part with land, a breakthrough has now been made in this regard due to initiatives taken by the Transport minister.