Shillong, Nov 28: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Director General Civil Aviation to file affidavit within one week on the need to make Umroi airport fully operational at the earliest.

In its order issued on Wednesday, the division bench of the High Court which comprised of Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice SR Sen, ordered that notices be issued to the Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation, Director General Civil Aviation and companies through their competent authorized agent to file their affidavit positively within one week.

The bench also directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Director General Civil Aviation to depute their authorized officers to be present in the Court on the next date of hearing scheduled to be held on December 6, for rendering assistance on technical side so as to enable the Court to pass appropriate order for operating the flights in a time bound manner, and preferably latest by December 10, 2018.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has filed its affidavit stating that it has completed all engineering works for expansion and has taken all necessary steps for installation, testing and calibration of ILS at the airport.

The AAI further stated that based on International Civil Aviation Organisation guidelines, the DGCA has issued the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on January 8, 2010 for provision of aeronautical information service to ensure the flow of information/data necessary for safety, regularity and efficiency of air navigation.

It also stated that after the airport is fully functional with ILS, airline operators will examine the air passenger traffic pattern, and will submit their proposals to the AAI to provide them slots for landing and departure of flights.

The AAI on receipt of the proposals shall immediately examine various aspects of the matter then will allot time slots to various airlines for landing and departure of their flights at Barapani airport.

Meanwhile, the affidavit filed by the Commissioner of Transport (CT) revealed that various works which were incomplete have been completed.

It was made clear by the Chief Engineer that physical progress for completion of work for laying opening of hume pipe, work has already been partially completed and 15 more days are required to complete.

However, the bench made it clear that completion or non-completion shall not in any manner hinder the operation of flight, 15 days time is granted for ensuring completion of the said work.