By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The construction of the Meghalaya House building in Kolkata is almost complete but there is delay in handing over the building to the State Government since the Asian Housing Construction Limited (AHCL) which is implementing the project is yet to be paid outstanding dues of over Rs 20 crore.
Informing this here on Wednesday GAD Minister AL Hek told reporters that the total cost of the project has more than doubled from the original estimate.
The total cost of construction was initially pegged at Rs 22 crore which has now escalated to around Rs 50 crore. The State Planning Commission has already sought justification from the GAD on the cost escalation.
“We have already submitted our reply and the matter is under examination of the Planning department,” the GAD Minister added.
He also informed that the State Government was awaiting permission from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for construction of the sewage system in the Meghalaya House.
According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the State Government and the Asian Housing Construction Limited, the project which was launched in July 2005 was to have been completed in two years. But, six years down the line the Meghalaya House is far from being completed.
Meanwhile, commenting on the status of the Meghalaya House at Vasant Vihar in New Delhi, Hek said that they are planning to inaugurate the project in March.
He said that they had recently acquired the permission from the Delhi Land and Building department for construction of the approach road to the Meghalaya House.
“We are planning to start the construction of the approach road as soon as possible. Besides the road, the only thing left is some finishing touches to the Meghalaya House building,” Hek said, adding, once this is complete the House would be ready for inauguration.
