A division bench of the Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government and Airports Authority of India (AAI) to expedite the process of expansion of the Shillong Airport, with a focus on acquiring land and obtaining necessary clearances.

Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding development and expansion of the Shillong Airport at Umroi, the bench, comprising of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh yesterday directed the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi District to complete the purchase of 11.75 acres of land from private land owners on or before January 10, 2026 and to hand over the acquired land to the AAI within the same date.

The court also ordered the state government to transfer the requisite funds within two weeks from December 11 , 2025 to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi district for direct purchase of 7.755 acres of land as decided by the State cabinet for the purpose of land exchange with the Defence Ministry.

The bench also directed the authorities concerned to complete the removal of all obstacles on the flight path, preferably within four months from December 11, 2025. Further, the AAI was directed to expedite concept and design-level approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and to ensure immediate response from DGCA to any queries.

Moreover, the Court asked the AAI to complete technical evaluation of bids by December 31, 2025, following which financial bids will be opened.

In its affidavit before the court, the AAI stated that the tender for the work expansion including runway extension, expansion of terminal building and apron and other allied works at Rs 11,944.47 lakhs was floated on March 28, 2025.

However, fresh bids had to be issued on September 9, 2025 after a bidder submitted false documents. Accordingly, a fresh tender for the work of runway extension and allied works was issued on September 9, 2025. The technical bids were opened on October, 27, 2025 and the technical evaluation of the technical bids is under process.

Deputy Solicitor General of India, Dr. N. Mozika, informed the court that the technical evaluation shall be completed by December 31, 2025 before opening the financial bid.

The AAI informed the court that it has not been updated about the outcome of the permission sought for environmental clearance.

The public hearing for environmental clearance was conducted on October 7, 2025, the report of which was sent to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority on November 17, 2025. The authority also informed the court that the observation of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the concept and design level approval for the expansion, including the runway extension, apron, strengthening of existing runway, apron, isolation bay and other allied works was forwarded to the Transport department.

A request was made on October 15, 2025 to the Transport department to share the target dates for removal of each of the obstacles along with an obstacle wise removal plan so that it can be submitted to DGCA, the AAI informed.

The court said in its action taken report the State has indicated the target for removal of the obstacles. Further the court directed authorities concerned to expedite the matter and file a report with regard to the steps taken for completion of all formalities and clearances before the work can be undertaken by the successful bidder.

“We hope that by the adjourned date, the AAI shall be in a position to identify the successful bidder,” the court said.

Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) of India during the hearing handed over a letter dated August 22, 2025 issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Ri-Bhoi District to the Defence Estate Officer, Guwahati Circle regarding the valuation of the land for the purpose of determination equal value land.

On this the court directed the Deputy Commissioner, Joint Secretary of the Transport Department and the Station Commander Umroi to hold a joint meeting to resolve the issue of land valuation with the outcome to be submitted before the court on February 10, 2026, the date scheduled for the next hearing.

“We hope all the differences in this regard shall be resolved in the meantime so that the expansion work of the Shillong Airport can commence without further delay,” the court said.