Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on July 22 outlined progress on the state's aviation infrastructure, stating that expansion of the Umroi Airport runway will commence within a few weeks and that the Centre has approved funding for Baljek Airport in Garo Hills. The announcement follows meetings in New Delhi with Union Civil Aviation officials to review connectivity projects.

Sangma briefed reporters after his visit and said that the tender for the runway extension had been completed and that work had been allotted, with physical construction expected to begin shortly. He indicated that the Union Civil Aviation Minister was expected to visit Shillong after August 15 to review progress on the runway expansion project.

He said the Ministry of Civil Aviation had decided to take up the expansion of Baljek Airport under a new aviation scheme and that the Centre would invest Rs 600 million (mn) to strengthen the airport's infrastructure to enable flight operations. The ministry was reported to be in talks with operators to introduce 19-seater Dornier aircraft services from Baljek once requisite approvals and operator agreements were finalised.

The chief minister conveyed that despite previous challenges, work was now moving in the right direction and that activity at Baljek would commence after necessary paperwork was completed. He added that the state government had proposed nine locations for new helipads and heliports under the Centre's plan to expand helicopter connectivity across the Northeast, with the ministry granting in-principle approval for three sites and the state finalising details.

Sangma said the Government of India was keen to improve helicopter links in Meghalaya and that once the three locations were finalised they would be announced. He suggested the Union Civil Aviation Minister was likely to formally announce the approved heliport locations during the proposed visit following August 15, underscoring a broader push to boost regional connectivity.