Shillong, Feb 16: The Meghalaya High Court has granted one week to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to file a detailed affidavit for taking final measure of ensuring operation of flights their landing and taking off from Umroi Airport to metros.

“We have clearly indicated as to what measures have been taken and are to be taken for operationalization of airport i.e for ensuring landing and taking-off aircrafts from Umroi Airport to metros, a week’s time is granted but we hope and trust that Civil Aviation department will not seek any further extension of time,” the division bench comprises of chief justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice SR Sen said in its order passed on Friday.

The bench has also directed Deepak Mahendra to appear before the Court in person to explain his position for making a deposition with the object of misleading the Court.

“Before we proceed against him (Deepak) by having recourse to contempt proceedings and for perjury, he shall appear before the Court in person to explain his position,” it said.

According to the affidavit filed by Deepak Mahendra Air Asia has only A 320 aircraft and as on date, Umroi Airport is not compatible for A 320 aircraft.

The bench said it is quite disturbing to note that the deponent Deepak Mahendra has exhibited ignorance in the affidavit is totally unaccepted i.e. in para ‘g’ he has stated that, “In any event is operating daily flights to Guwahati airport, which is 100 Kilometers (approx.) away from Shillong by road. In fact the roads are very well connected and maintained and more preferred way of travelling to Shillong than the flight option. It is submitted that flight operations at the Airport are not at all commercially viable due to several reasons like payload restrictions where aircraft cannot fly to its full capacity, visual flight restrictions, low visibility, and safety issues.”

Regarding low visibility, visual flight restrictions and safety issues, RG Lama, General Manager Air Traffic, has already made it clear that there is no visibility issue or safety issue, however, as a matter of fact, A 320 as on date cannot take-off or land at Umroi Airport.

“The deposition to the effect that Shillong is well connected by road which is more preferred way of travelling to Shillong than flight option, suggests that he (Deepak) has been playing in the hands of someone and has made such a deposition with the object of misleading the Court,” the bench stated.

However, Lama stated that the objections raised by Inter Globe Aviation Limited who operate the airline Indigo in its affidavit are “incorrect”.

Lama further added that the alliance ATR 72-100 on trial basis is landing and taking-off from Umroi Airport. Further, with the installation of ILS there is no issue of visibility.

The Inter Globe Aviation Limited has highlighted that Indigo has AIR 72-600 aircrafts whereas, Umroi Airport, Shillong has only two parking stand which are compatible only for ATR 42 aircrafts and not for AIR 72-600 aircrafts, therefore, Indigo aircraft cannot be parked in Umroi Airport, Shillong.

The second objection is that visibility at the airport is 5000 metres or more, landing and taking-off could take place only at day time. The third objection is that even though Instrument Landing Procedure has been published with higher minima of 5000 meters and not less which is designed for visual circling and could not be used by airline for landing.

The bench has directed Rahul Kumar who has filed the affidavit to make his position clear as to why he has made a false statement before the Court. “He must file his affidavit within one week in case of default his personal appearance shall be indispensable,” it said.

Affidavit filed by the Managing Director, Go Airlines (India) Limited is suggestive of the fact that Go Airlines operating only Airbus A-320 fleet only according to Lama as on date, Airbus A-320 cannot land or take-off from Umroi Airport.

The bench has also granted a week’s time to the Jet Airways to file affidavit with regards to certain survey/studies regarding operation of their flight.

It was also brought to the notice of the Court that as usual Alliance Air operating ATR 72 from Kolkata to Umroi but quite frequently flights are cancelled.

On this, the Chief Executive Officer of Allied Services Limited (Alliance Air) is also asked to file affidavit within one week to clearly indicate, from 1st January till date how many flights have been operated and how many flights have been cancelled day and date wise.

Meanwhile, the bench also expressed satisfaction with the approach, action and completion of construction by the state government and said it is also equally satisfied with the steps and measures taken by the Airport Authority of India.

It is also satisfied with the affidavit filed by the State’s Commissioner of Transport who revealed that construction of 8-Opening Hume Pipe Culvert and 13-Opening Hume Pipe Culvert as per the latest status report as on February 14, has been completed.

The Commissioner also informed that the construction of Slab Drain, Hume Pipe Culvert (Single Opening) and Granular Sub Base Course as per report has been completed to the extent of 94% and efforts are being made to be completed at the earliest and construction of Chain Link and Gate as on Feb 14, has been completed to the extent of 96% work is in progress and is likely to be completed. We are satisfied with the affidavit as filed.

During the hearing, it was also brought to the notice of the Court that the road providing for egress and ingress to the local inhabitants is under construction inside the boundary wall which in the long run will be hazardous.

However, according to the Superintending Engineer as well as Lama, the road which is under construction is a temporary measure, a step for ensuing operationalization of the airport.

The Superintending Engineer made it clear that for the road outside the boundary wall process of acquisition of land for the purpose shall be vigorously pursue.

Meanwhile, the next hearing on the matter has been fixed on February 25.