Nongstoin district jail project in limbo

SHILLONG: A project for which money was sanctioned 15 years ago is in an abandoned stage with authorities yet to fix responsibility for the wrong site selection.
A whooping Rs 6.5 crore was spent on the unused Nongstoin jail complex on the 10.35 acres of land but it remained non-functional despite prisoners overcrowding Shillong jail.
During a recent visit to the premises of the jail complex at Phodkynthei in Nongstoin, it was found that the prisoners will be exposed since the location of the jail is in a valley and the movement of prisoners can be visible from the hillocks surrounding it.
Despite the drawbacks, the state government is determined to complete the remaining work which was stopped in the past due to shortage of funds.
An official said the revised estimate for Rs 20 crore for the completion of the project was yet to be approved by the government.
Lack of maintenance and supervision has also resulted in partial damage of the buildings coupled with anti-social elements misusing the complex.