Work ongoing for Meghalaya’s Umroi Airport expansion, informs CM Conrad Sangma

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 23: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today informed the Assembly that the government is working with the Airport Authority of India and other agencies to expand the existing runway of the Umroi Airport to allow for the landing of larger aircraft.

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“This will enable direct connectivity to the cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, with a huge positive impact on tourism,” Sangma said in his budget speech.

The Umroi airport was operationalized in 2018 and it currently has direct flights to 9 cities including Kolkata and Delhi.

Rs 15.5 crore has been allocated for improving air connectivity in the state.

According to the Chief Minister, improved air connectivity is one of the big triggers for economic growth for Meghalaya.

During an interaction with media persons, Sangma said that the government is not planning to go for a new Greenfield.

Further, the chief minister announced that the Baljek airport will be made operational soon with direct flight connectivity between Shillong and Tura. Heliports will also be built at Shillong and Tura to further enhance air connectivity, he added.

Timothy D Shira elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 18: Senior NPP leader and Resubelpara legislator Timothy D Shira is all set to be elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the 11th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

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This is because the three opposition parties – Congress, All India Trinamool Congress and Voice of the People Party – have decided not to field any candidate for the post, the election of which will be held on the first day of the Assembly’s budget session on March 20.

Assembly’s Commissioner and Secretary Andrew Simons on Friday informed that Shira was the lone candidate who has filed his nomination for the election to the Deputy Speaker’s post.

His candidature was proposed by Rakkam A Sangma and Marcuise N Marak from the National People’s Party and Lahkmen Rymbui and Mathew Kurbah from the United Democratic Party.

Shira was also holding the post of deputy speaker during the previous term of the Assembly.