By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The much-anticipated inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) project at Mawlai Mawiong has cleared a major hurdle with the State government agreeing to look into the grievances of Dorbar Shnong of Mawlai Mawiong.
“The problem between Dorbar Shnong of Mawlai Mawiong rim and the State Government over the recent transfer of land for the construction of the ISBT has been resolved,” said the state Transport Minister AT Mondal.
He added: “They have some grievances and we have assured them that they will be looked into”.
The construction of the proposed ISBT at Mawiong has been approved by the Planning Commission earlier this year and it would be constructed at a cost of Rs 48.31 crore.
Once completed this ISBT will be able accommodate 50 buses.
Earlier, the residents of Mawiong had expressed shock over the transfer of land as the Dorbar was kept in the dark about the transfer of the land.
According to Mondal, the State Government held discussion with the members of the Dorbar.
Reacting to a query, the minister informed that the matter is currently pending with the Planning Commission and State Government is taking all steps to ensure that the ISBT comes up in the state.
The DONER Ministry has already given a go ahead for the construction of the project and according to the Detail Project Report (DPR), the project will take almost three years to complete.
Interestingly, the transfer of the site for the construction of the ISBT had hit hurdles when a misunderstanding regarding the possession of 60 acres of land had erupted between the Thawmuid clan and Thangkhiew clan and the issue was dragged to court. After three months, the matter was resolved and ownership of the land was restored to the Thawmuid clan.
Out of the 60 acres, the government had acquired 11 acres for the construction of the project.
It may be mentioned the Planning Commission had also approved the construction of an Inter State Truck Terminus (ISTT) at Sumer at a total cost of Rs 26 crore.
