Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court lashed out at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on July 19 for dragging its feet on the Shillong Airport expansion project. A division bench including Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh slammed the agency for failing to finish a safety assessment required to break ground. This holdup risks driving up costs for taxpayers.
The court previously warned the DGCA about these delays back on April 22, 2026. A month and a half passed, yet no evaluation report surfaced. Finding no progress, the judges ordered the Registry to officially list the New Delhi-based DGCA as Respondent No. 23. Deputy Solicitor General Nitesh Mozika accepted the notice on behalf of the agency but requested more time.
The court refused to let the matter slide. It ordered the Joint Director of the DGCA to appear via video conference for the next hearing on July 20, 2026. Officials must explain the stall. The court noted: "any further delay in granting permission would postpone the project and ultimately burden taxpayers through increased costs." Amicus Curiae Phuyosa Yobin also received instructions to file an additional affidavit before the court reconvenes.
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