Plan to install escalators likely to be scrapped
SHILLONG: The General Administration Department (GAD) is likely to hand over the State Convention Centre at Pinewood Hotel to the Tourism department without installing the escalators.
“We might withdraw the provisions of installing of the escalators in the convention centre.
“We would take a final call on this in the review meeting to be convened by GAD Minister HDR Lyngdoh shortly,” official sources informed here on Thursday.
The sources also informed that the project has been completed and the only thing left is the installation of the escalators.
“The contractor who is executing the project is finding it difficult to arrange for the escalators from abroad,” official sources said.
The sources pointed out that if the proposal to install escalator is withdrawn there would not be any major problems since the lift and the stairs have already been put in place at the convention centre.
“We are expecting to hand over the convention centre to the Tourism department within this year,” official sources informed.
According to the official, the convention centre comprises of 27 double rooms, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 800, five committee rooms, each with a capacity to accommodate 20 people, a restaurant and pantry.
While admitting that there has been a delay in the completion of the project, the official informed that the alignment of the small approach road had to be changed besides adjusting additional components and the staff quarters of Hotel Pinewood.
“The delay in completing the project has led to cost escalation by Rs 23.31 crore,” the official informed.
The State Convention Centre is partly funded by the Union Government under the Additional Central Assistance.
The rest of the expenditure for the project is being borne by the State Government.