Meghalaya HC asks authorities The High Court of Meghalaya on Wednesday asked concerned authorities to make the Umroi airport fully functional by September 30.
During a hearing on the pending matter on Wednesday, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Judge S R Sen expressed ‘anguish’ that though the state authorities have geared up but is was not in the ‘expected line’.
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The division bench, however, appreciated the efforts of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The court said there was breach of the time limit that was fixed a number of times.
The division bench made it clear that the PIL has been pending for a long time and various directions have been issued from time to time.
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The court further viewed that any further delay at this stage will be totally at the ‘peril of the authorities directly or indirectly responsible for any delay’.
The court, however, appreciated the efforts of the authorities in issuing the notification for reducing the time for acquisition of land.
The matter will come up for hearing after 15 days to enable the respondent authorities to file the latest status about the target to be achieved.
Earlier, Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar apprised the court that the provisions of the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, have been amended not to be made applicable with regard to purchase and acquisition of land by the corporation from time to time.
He assured that the land acquisition proceedings will be completed at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the AAI has also made it clear that it had already obtained environment clearance at the time when the airport was established.
AAI has also filed the requisite affidavit on Tuesday stating that the work of installation and commissioning of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the airport is being expedited.