Shillong, April 17: The public accounts committee of the Assembly today pulled up the Meghalaya government over the delay in payment of compensation to landowners for the runway expansion at Umroi Airport in Ri Bhoi district.
The committee, led by its chairman and veteran legislator Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, inspected the airport today to find out its status and ascertain the problems related to compensation. Sources said at least 14 landowners had complained to the panel for not receiving compensation till date.
The landowners, who are yet to receive compensation and officials of the transport department, directorate of land records and deputy commissioner of Ri Bhoi district, were also present.
Other members, including Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, Paul Lyngdoh and Pyngshngaiñlang N. Syiem, accompanied Hoping Stone Lyngdoh.
While giving a week's time to the transport department, directorate of land records and the deputy commissioner to furnish details related to payment of compensation, the committee members also sought detailed information on the land acquisition process as they found the construction of the runway had been delayed.
On March 12, the deputy chief minister in charge of the revenue department, R.C. Laloo, said 17 landowners, including the defence ministry, out of 308 who gave up land for the expansion of Umroi Airport, had not claimed compensation.
Laloo said the total amount disbursed to landowners was Rs 49,45,96,111. He said Rs 8 crore was kept in the custody of the Ri Bhoi deputy commissioner for payment of compensation.
The compensation of Rs 5,20,29,740 is meant for the defence and Rs 41,43,571 for the 16 landowners, Laloo had said.
Earlier, state transport minister H.D.R Lyngdoh said there was no hurdle for the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to implement plans to upgrade Umroi Airport, including expansion of its short runway, since land acquired for the purpose has already been handed over by the state government.
The airport was constructed in the mid-1960s and became operational in the mid-1970s.
Nearly 224.16 acres of land was acquired for expansion of the airport a few years ago and AAI has been allotted land for further expansion.
Expansion of the runway at Umroi Airport was necessitated so it can withstand the heavy load and speed of bigger aircraft.
The present 6,000-feet runway that can support an ATR-42 aircraft will be extended to about 8,000 feet to facilitate operation of bigger aircraft like Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.
