Work on the expansion of the runway at Shillong Airport in Umroi has begun, according to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. The project, which had faced several challenges, particularly relating to the required clearances, has finally secured the necessary approvals after detailed discussions with authorities in New Delhi.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the upgraded facility will be able to accommodate larger aircraft from major metropolitan cities by 2027. The expansion project involves extending the existing runway at Umroi from 1,829 metres to 2,400 metres, a move aimed at enabling the airport to handle larger aircraft and improve direct air connectivity to Meghalaya.
The runway extension is expected to be completed within a maximum period of 15 months, although the government hopes the work will be completed earlier. The state government had earmarked ₹150 crore for Umroi Airport in the 2026-27 Budget. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also received environmental clearance for the wider expansion project, which includes the runway extension, expansion of the terminal building and apron, and allied works.
The project has required coordination on aviation safety and flight-path obstacles. The state government said last month that it was seeking execution-level approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), while simultaneously working on removal of identified obstacles. The completion of the runway expansion would mark a significant improvement in Meghalaya’s air connectivity.
According to the Chief Minister, the government is targeting 2027 for the commencement of operations with larger flights from different metros landing directly at Umroi Airport.
