SHILLONG: Sixteen years after the 125-year-old Burmese teak Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building at Khyndailad was reduced to ashes, there is finally hope that a new structure will come up soon.
Construction work for the new Assembly building in the New Shillong Township area is likely to begin from next month.
Following a meeting of the high powered committee on Monday, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker AT Mondal said efforts would be made to ensure that the project takes off from next month.
Informing that seven companies participated in the tendering process, the Speaker said three companies have been shortlisted for the financial bid based on technical evaluation of the public works department.
The companies selected include Shapoorji Pallonji Co & Ltd, Simplex Infrastructure Ltd and Shree Gautam Construction Company Ltd.
“The financial bid documents will be opened on October 25. The lowest bidder will be awarded with the contract for construction of the project,” he said.
He however said discussions with the successful bidders would have to take place as to when they could start the project.
“We have set certain terms though. If the first successful bidders fail to comply with the conditions set by the government, then the second lowest bidders would be given the contract to execute the project,” Mondal said.
The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 141.14 crore and the project must be completed within three years from the date of commencement of work.
Multiple locations for the new Assembly building had been proposed in the past. Assembly sessions were earlier held at the Central Library auditorium and later shifted to the Arts and Culture auditorium within the premises of Brookside in Rilbong.
