Lapang assures to make airports functional soon

Shillong, June 5 (UNI) Efforts are on to make Baljek airport in Meghalaya functional by the end of this year, Chief Minister D D Lapang said.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials had visited the Baljek airport site in West Garo Hills district and conducted an overall assessment of the progress of construction work in the airport, Mr Lapang told newspersons here yesterday.

He said the officials of the AAI will visit the state to discuss the ways and means to expand the runway at Umroi airport in Ri-Bhoi district.

On the upgradation of the airport, Mr Lapang said a new terminal building, flying club, CISF Barali would be taken up to improve the only functional airport in the state.

''We do not want to make empty promises and we hope to complete the project in time,'' Mr Lapang said.

In order to further improve the air-connectivity, Mr Lapang said the government was contemplating to procure a new helicopter to carry passengers from the state capital to Guwahati airport and Tura in Garo Hills.

He said there was a need to procure a new helicopter and the government would process the matter soon.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Mukul M Sangma said the state government would also explore the ways and means to have viable railway network both from Byrnihat and also from Garo Hills.

He also said that a comprehensive plan would be submitted to the Centre on the need to have railway network from Asom to Byrnihat and also to East Garo Hills and another to West Garo Hills.

UNI