Construction work of new Meghalaya Assembly building to start

The construction work of the new Meghalaya Assembly building will start soon as the high-powered committee (HPC) has given approval to the project, Speaker Donkupur Roy has said.

The new building will be constructed on 80 acres land at Mawdiangdiang in New Shillong Township. The old Meghalaya Assembly building at Khyndailad was gutted in 2001.

"We (HCP) have approved the proposal to allot the construction work of the Assembly building to Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Ltd, a psu of the Uttar Pradesh government," Roy told mediapersons here on Thursday.

"We have to ensure that the work starts before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls comes into force," he said.

Roy, who also heads the HPC, said the first phase of the project would include the construction of the Assembly building and office while the quarters for the Speaker and staff will taken up in the second phase.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressed confidence that the work of the new Assembly building would be completed within the stipulated time of 36 months.

Asked about funds for the project, the chief minister said apart from mobilising funds from own resources, the state government would also approach the Centre for extending financial support for construction of the new Assembly building.