Govt targets to complete new Assembly building this year: Speaker

“We are making all attempts to see that the upcoming budget session is held in the new Assembly building,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

The Speaker said he had recently reviewed the ongoing construction of the new building at Mawdiangdiang.

He informed that around 80-85 percent has been completed in as far as civil works of the main building is concerned.

“I am glad to see that the progress of work inspite of this pandemic, shortage of manpower as most of them have left for their home towns – even then work is still going on in a good pace,”Lyngdoh said adding “Our target is to complete by the end of this year.”

He said the first phase of the project would also include main hall, rooms of the Speaker, Chief Minister, Ministers, canteen, offices of the Assembly Secretariat etc.

According to him, the second phase of the project will follow which will include quarters for the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, MLAs etc.

Highlighting further on the progress of the work, the Speaker said that the balance work in as far as the civil work is concerned is only the dome which is part of the main hall of the Assembly building.

“We are waiting for the main structure which is going to come and all the thrust and fabicrated structure is ready in Kolkkata,” he said.

He informed that a team of engineers had already visited the factory where the thrust is being made and it was found that everything was okay as per the specification.

“We expect the dome part of this consignment will be reaching Shillong sometimes by end of this month and we target to complete the installation of the dome by end of August,” Lyngdoh said.

Representations were also made by officers at different levels during the review meeting. It was informed that the police department had conducted a site inspection and discussed at length about the security system.

The MePDCL had also identified the location for installation of the sub-station at the main premises of the Assembly building. “The work for this will start immediately without any delay,” he said while also informing that a team of PHE officials are on the job to execute works related to water supply.

The other issues discussed were in regards to the plantation for beautification of the compound of the new Assembly building by the forest department.

Lyngdoh further informed that a team from the PWD department will monitor on a daily basis the progress of the entire project to ensure everything is in line with what has been decided.

He said the Assembly had already called for tender for the boundary fencing which is targeted to be completed this year.

Asked, the Speaker however said that the government has not thought of what to do with the land at Khyndai Lad after shifting everything to the new Assembly building. “The entire office should be shifted there by the end of next year. We have not thought exactly what we are going to do with this place (but) this is a prime location, I hope it would be used in a meaningful way,” he added.

By Our Reporter