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Travel
AAI to Draft New Master Plan and Conduct LiDAR Survey for Baljek Airport Expansion in Meghalaya
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 26 Aug 2026, 03:32 PM
👁 3
The Airports Authority of India will prepare a fresh master plan and carry out a LiDAR survey as part of the expansion project at Baljek Airport in Meghalaya.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced that it will develop a new master plan for the expansion of Baljek Airport, located in the northeastern state of Meghalaya. The plan aims to upgrade the facility to handle increased passenger traffic and improve connectivity for the region.
As a first step, AAI will commission a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey to generate high‑resolution topographic data of the airport site and its surroundings. The survey will help engineers assess terrain constraints, identify suitable locations for runway extensions, and design ancillary infrastructure such as aprons and taxiways.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the central government to boost air connectivity in the North‑East, where many remote areas rely heavily on air travel. Officials said the master plan will be finalized after the survey data is analyzed, and subsequent phases will involve detailed design and procurement.
Stakeholders, including local authorities and airline operators, have welcomed the move, citing potential economic benefits and improved tourism prospects for Meghalaya's scenic destinations.
As a first step, AAI will commission a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey to generate high‑resolution topographic data of the airport site and its surroundings. The survey will help engineers assess terrain constraints, identify suitable locations for runway extensions, and design ancillary infrastructure such as aprons and taxiways.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the central government to boost air connectivity in the North‑East, where many remote areas rely heavily on air travel. Officials said the master plan will be finalized after the survey data is analyzed, and subsequent phases will involve detailed design and procurement.
Stakeholders, including local authorities and airline operators, have welcomed the move, citing potential economic benefits and improved tourism prospects for Meghalaya's scenic destinations.