SHILLONG: The stalemate over the much-awaited Iawmusiang supermarket project in Jowai continues and the project, which is expected to make a difference to the economy of the area, has been gathering dust ever since the DoNER ministry sanctioned it in 2001.
However, Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla on Friday told reporters that the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma has taken up the matter with the concerned authorities and the second installment for the project was likely to be released very soon.
He said that the authorities which sanctioned the projects had assured to help in making the project a reality after the matter was raised by the Chief Minister.
During his recent visit to Jowai, the Chief Minister visited the site where the proposed project was supposed to be constructed
It may be mentioned that the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District council had utilised the first installment of Rs 6.33 crore, released by the ministry of DoNER for the project, to construct the ground floor and parking lots and allied work way back in 2001.
It may be noted that the DoNER ministry had sanctioned Rs 20.09 crore, including seven per cent agency charge, for the project.
However, there were some issues and the JHADC handed it over to the state PWD in August 2009.
As of today, the partly-constructed mass of greyish concrete is surrounded by a dense “jungle”, bearing testimony to the years of apathy it has had to endure.
Once completed, the multi-storied market complex at the heart of Jowai town would not only house a number of shops and “displaced” vendors but would be a potential revenue-earner.