India's smallest airport has seen just two planes in 18 years — here's the extraordinary story

Baljek Airport — also known as Tura Airport — in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills is one of India's smallest airports. Located around 33 kilometres northeast of Tura, it is better known today for its unusual story of inauguration without operation than for any regular air travel. (AI generated representative image)

The idea was first raised in 1983. Government approval came in 1995. The airport was finally inaugurated in October 2008 by former President Pratibha Patil at a cost of ₹12.52 crore — designed for the 20-seater Dornier 228 aircraft, with a 1.1-kilometre runway and STOL designation. (AI generated representative image)

During the inauguration ceremony on October 23, 2008, a four-seater Cessna and a nine-seater Dornier landed from Guwahati. Those two aircraft remain the last widely reported landings at the airport. Regular commercial flight operations have never started. (AI generated representative image)

The airport's short runway limits the types of aircraft that can safely operate there. Plans were made to extend the runway for ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft — with 58 more acres acquired in 2014, in addition to 153 acres acquired between 1986 and 1989. Even so, regular passenger flights have not begun. (AI generated representative image)

Instead of welcoming passengers, Baljek Airport has become a venue for large music events and public gatherings over the past couple of years — an unusual but pragmatic use of its large open tarmac in the absence of commercial aviation operations. (AI generated representative image)

On a positive note, the Meghalaya government is actively working with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to make the airport operational again — with the original vision of improving connectivity across the three districts of the Garo Hills and providing faster transport for the region's horticultural produce still alive. (AI generated representative image)