By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The delay in execution of the much-awaited housing project for the poor in Mawprem has drawn flak from members of the Mawprem Dorbar Shnong who feel “politicking by some vested interests” is the main reason behind this delay.
The project was sanctioned under the Integrated Slum Development Programme (ISDP) and the Basic Service for Urban Poor (BSUP) component of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission.
With election round the corner, some vested interests are interfering in the implementation of the project, members of the Dorbar Shnong alleged, while adding that even the implementing agency is unable to give any specific reason for the delay.
It may be noted that Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma along with the Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh laid the foundation stone of the project on November 19 last year.
The housing project consists of 48 dwelling units in an area of 9900 sq ft. The infrastructure is estimated to cost Rs 1.77 crores.
Members of the Mawprem Dorbar Shnong on Saturday stated that they would shortly chalk out a course of action “if the delay persists”.
In a general meeting of the Dorbar Shnong Mawprem held here on Saturday, its members informed that “MUDA gave flimsy excuses over the delay. The Hindustan Prefab Limited (HPL), which is the executing the project, claims that since it was puja season labourers were not coming, but in reality most of the workers are locals”. To make way for the construction of the building several household were evicted from the site leaving them in sundry as they are expecting to get proper shelter on completion of the building. The project was earmarked to benefit around forty households belonging to the BPL group. Members of the Dorbar Shnong even threatened to file an RTI to find out the real cause of the delay. Meanwhile, Jaiaw legislator Paul Lyngdoh while sharing the concern of the Dorbar Shnong said that The Dorbar Shnong of Mawprem should adopt a resolution and send it to the Urban Affairs department seeking a reply on the inordinate delay in implementation of the project.