By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A day after the Dorbar Shnong of Mawlai Mawiong-rim raised their opposition over the recent transfer of land to the transport department for construction of the Inter-state Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawiong, Transport Minister AT Mondal on Monday has seeked co-operation from the dorbar shnong stating that “the problems can be look at and sort out together”.
“Whatever the problem may be, we can seek and sort out together”, Mondal said adding that there is a need for the dorbar shnong to co-operate with the government since this is a very important project for the state.
The proposed construction of the 48.31 crore project on an 11 acres piece land in Mawiong, was opposed on Sunday by the residents of Mawiong rim who alleged that the Dorbar Shnong was not aware of the recent transfer of land by the Thawmuid clan to the Transport department. Stating this action as ‘disrespectful to the traditional governance’.
Talking to The Shillong Times here on Monday, the transport minister informed that in a meeting held last week, the DONOR Ministry has given a go ahead for the construction of this project and according to the Detail Project Report (DPR), the project will take almost 3 years to complete.
“We are awaiting for the money to be sanctioned so that we can immediately start with the construction of this project”, Mondal said adding that the government is however looking forward to complete the basic formalities this year only.
Terming this project as ‘prestigious’, Mondal said as soon as the money is sanctioned to the state government, tenders will be floated since the execution of the project will be done by other departments after which they can start straight away with the construction of the ISBT.
The project was already delayed by many months due to court cases which had erupted between the Thawmuid clan and Thangkhiew clan over possession of the 60 acres of land at Mawiong but it was only two months back that the government acquired the land after ownership of the land was restored to the Thawmuid clan, asserted the transport minister.
Meanwhile, commenting on the proposed construction of the Inter State Truck Terminus (ISTT) at Sumer, with a total cost of Rs 26 crore which had already been approved by the planning commission, Mondal said the DONOR ministry is seeking more changes in the DPR and the ministry will clear the project by December.
“In the Previous DPR presented to the Ministry, there was a mention of warehouses and dormitories of which the ministry had asked for removal of the same and probably the next DPR will be clear by the ministry soon”, stated the transport minister.