In a landmark move for regional connectivity, the Meghalaya government has signed a key agreement with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to operationalise Baljek Airport in West Garo Hills.
This long-awaited development will finally bring the Garo Hills region onto India’s air travel map, with plans to commence services using 20-seater aircraft and long-term ambitions for further expansion.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the state’s Transport Department and AAI, encompasses both Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the airport and the Communications, Navigation & Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) requirements. The signing ceremony took place at Baljek Airport in Jengjal, about 30 kilometers from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma hailed the agreement as a defining moment for the region. “This is a significant step not just for connectivity but for the broader economic vision of Garo Hills and the entire state,” he said. He assured that the government is committed to progressively upgrade the airport infrastructure to support larger aircraft, such as the ATR-72, in the future.
“This is about laying the foundation for the next 30 to 50 years. The airport has the potential to evolve into a logistics hub for the entire region, given its proximity to Bangladesh and other northeastern states,” he added.
Under the O&M agreement, AAI will begin the process of obtaining the necessary operating license for the airport. The immediate objective is to enable operations of 20-seater aircraft, paving the way for regular regional flights and improved accessibility.
The story of Baljek Airport is one of ambition delayed by bureaucratic and infrastructural hurdles. Originally inaugurated in 2008 by then-President Pratibha Patil, the airport witnessed its first successful landing and takeoff with a Dornier 228 aircraft but remained non-operational in the years that followed.
AAI had submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) in 2010 and again in 2017. Based on those plans, the Meghalaya government acquired an additional 56.5 acres of land for expansion. In 2020, AAI expressed its readiness to take over the airport but requested further land acquisition—125 acres for Phase-I development (inclusive of the earlier 56.5 acres), and 115 acres earmarked for a proposed Phase-II expansion.
In recent months, the Meghalaya government urged AAI to take over the facility on an “as is where is” basis to expedite the operationalization process. AAI has now agreed and is moving forward with technical and regulatory groundwork.
Strategic Significance for Garo Hills
For the Garo Hills, which has long suffered from poor connectivity due to its hilly terrain and distance from state hubs, Baljek Airport could be transformative. Not only will it reduce travel time for locals, but it will also open up the region to tourism, trade, and investment. The area’s rich natural beauty, cultural heritage, and agricultural produce could benefit from improved logistics and transport facilities.
Moreover, the move is in line with the Government of India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel accessible to under-served areas.
A Twin to Shillong Airport
Baljek will become Meghalaya’s second functional airport, joining Shillong Airport at Umroi in Ri Bhoi district. Shillong Airport currently operates ATR-72 aircraft and offers regular flights to major destinations such as Kolkata, Delhi, Agartala, and Dimapur. Efforts are underway to expand the Shillong runway to accommodate narrow-body aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, indicating a broader push by the state to enhance its aviation infrastructure.
With Baljek Airport’s revival, Meghalaya is poised to integrate more fully into India’s growing aviation network. The development aligns with the state’s broader economic goals of regional development, improved connectivity, and long-term infrastructure planning.
