Meghalaya CM announces start of Shillong Airport expansion project

By - Admin 13 Aug, 2026 Comments (0) 1 Mins Read

Meghalaya CM announces FCRA facilitation cell for NGOs in Meghalaya SHILLONG, AUG 14: The Meghalaya government will establish an FCRA Cell within the Home Department to help organizations with applications and renewals, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday. The cell will be set up in consultation with the Centre and will operate from Shillong and other locations including Tura and Jowai if needed, to prevent groups from having to travel to Delhi. "The Meghalaya government has decided that we will be forming an FCRA Cell within the home department... in consultation with the government of India," Sangma said. He said the cell will coordinate with the Centre to address problems faced by NGOs during renewals and fresh applications. "The purpose of this cell would be to help in coordination with the central government to see effective ways the different problems being faced by our different organizations when it comes to renewals and applications can be addressed right here in Shillong itself or in Tura or in Jowai," he said. Sangma added that the issue was discussed with the Union Home Secretary and that central officials will also provide periodic support. "We are working on a mechanism where government of India officials will also be there to support time to time in order to ensure any kind of problems or challenges that are there will be looked into," he said. The Chief Minister urged political parties to keep the issue above politics, stressing the need to balance regulation with the work of institutions serving the poor. "This is not the time to play politics but it is a time to work together to ensure we are able to find a solution... to find a mechanism for regulation yet not harassing or affecting or damaging our institutions and our organizations which are here helping and working for the poor people of our state," Sangma said.

SHILLONG, AUG 14: Work has begun on the expansion of the runway at Shillong Airport, Umroi, with all required clearances now in place, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday.

The project is slated for completion in 15 months and is expected to enable direct connectivity to major metros from next year.

“I am happy to announce that the work for the extension of the runway has started,” Sangma said.

He credited recent deliberations in Delhi for resolving pending issues.

“We had a lot of challenges, but after detailed discussions and also my last visit to Delhi, these matters were sorted out,” he said.

The government expects the work to be wrapped up ahead of schedule.
“We expect that this work will be completed in a maximum of the next 15 months, though we are hoping it will be faster than that,” the CM said.

Once done, the longer runway will allow bigger aircraft to operate from the state.

“By next year, 2027, we do hope and expect that larger flights from the different metros will be landing directly at Umroi Airport,” Sangma added.