Baljek airport yet to function

Shillong: Baljek Airport in West Garo Hills is yet to become functional even after a month of its inauguration because the memorandum of understanding between the state and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has not been inked.
President Pratibha Patil had inaugurated the airport at Jengjal, 33km from Tura, on October 23. A 19-seater Dornier also landed at the airport on that day.
Frederick Kharkongor, the deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills, told The Telegraph that the memorandum between the state transport department and the AAI has to be signed to make the airport fully functional.
“There will first be a joint inspection of the airport by officials of the state transport department and AAI,” Kharkongor said. After the memorandum is signed, the airport will be handed over to the AAI to make it fully operational.
P.W. Ingty, commissioner and secretary (transport), admitted it would take some more months to make the airport functional. The state government is also planning to approach the North Eastern Council (NEC) for financial assistance in making the airport functional by scheduling regular flights.
03/12/08 The Telegraph

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Categories: Airports Dec 2008, New Dec 2008