SHILLONG, Sep 19: Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing construction of the new Assembly building at Mawdiangdiang on Thursday. The inspection-cum-review meeting was aimed at evaluating progress and ensuring the timely completion of the long-anticipated project.
Accompanied by Dr Andrew Simons, Commissioner and Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, and officials from various line departments, including the Public Works Department (PWD), the Forest department, and the Arts and Culture department, the Speaker underscored the significance of cross-departmental cooperation in delivering a well-rounded project.
Promoting Meghalaya’s legislative history
During the inspection, the Speaker emphasised the importance of highlighting the state’s legislative history within the new Assembly complex. He revealed that the Arts and Culture department has been tasked with incorporating the story of Meghalaya’s legislative evolution through creative representations in key areas of the building.
The reception areas on the ground floor will showcase the history of the Legislative Assembly over the past five decades, while corridors and hallways will feature portraits of past chief ministers, speakers, and other notable legislators.
“There are two receptions — one for the general public and one for VIPs. Both will showcase important highlights of Meghalaya’s political journey through paintings and pictures,” he said.
Environmental impact
A major focus of the review was on the environmental impact of the new Assembly building. Speaker stressed the importance of creating a green environment within the complex, aligning it with the natural surroundings.
He announced plans for landscaping, stating, “We want to restore the green part as much as possible. That’s why we called the Forest and Horticulture departments to ensure the premises are green and in harmony with nature.”
Progress and challenges
Speaking on the overall progress of the construction, the Speaker expressed satisfaction, although he acknowledged some delays. “The progress is good, though a little slow. We’re slightly behind schedule, but things are coming together,” he remarked.
The Speaker noted that while the right and left wings of the building are almost complete, work on the main hall, including the dome sphere, is still ongoing and requires specialised labour.
Workforce challenges were also addressed during the meeting. Sangma mentioned an initial shortage of workers but confirmed that the situation has improved significantly. “Earlier, the workforce was not up to the mark, but now we have sufficient workers, and more are coming. Tasks that require special expertise are underway, and we expect them to pick up speed.”
Timeline for completion
Despite the delays, the Speaker remains hopeful for completion in the near future. Originally slated for September 30, 2024, the project may require an additional month. “I would love to see it completed as soon as possible, but it looks like we may need until the end of October,” Sangma admitted.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the Speaker praising the active involvement of the PWD’s building division and the cooperation of all departments involved. “Their efforts are ensuring that no further accidents happen and that the safety of the building is upheld,” he said.
