Shillong, July 15: The Meghalaya High Court has directed an authority concerned to file an affidavit on whether cluster-I (problem) is a real hindrance for landing of turbojet and Air Bus at the Umroi Airport in Ri-Bhoi district.

During a hearing on the matter on Monday, the division bench of Chief Justice, Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice HS Thangkhiew in its order said, “Let an affidavit be filed to that effect and also incorporating therein whether cluster-I is a real hindrance for landing of Turbojet and Air Bus at Umroi Airport, Shillong.”

The affidavit should be filed before the next hearing scheduled to be held on July 29 for further consideration.

The counsel appearing for the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has informed the Court that so far as AAI is concerned, they have no objection for grant of permission for landing of aircrafts provided sanction is accorded by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

During the hearing, the counsel for DGCA has also filed an affidavit in terms of the order dated July 2, in the Court. The copy of the affidavit has been handed over to the Amicus Curiae and shall also be furnished to other counsel for the respondents as well. The affidavit was also taken on record.

It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya High Court in its order on July 2, had directed the DGCA to submit list of obstacles which are required to be removed in order to ensure landing of Boeing Aircraft at the Umroi airport.

Earlier, the counsel for DGCA had informed the court that without cutting of cluster-I (problem), it will not be possible to grant permission for landing of regular turbojet i.e, Boeing Aircraft at Umroi airport. According to the counsel for DGCA, cutting of cluster-I would entail an expenditure of Rs 8,000 crore.