To decongest the Shillong town, Meghalaya Government is exploring possibilities to shift the Secretariat and other administrative buildings to New Shillong Township. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma along with Urban Affairs Minister Snawbhalang Dhar and Chief Secretary DP Wahlang on Thursday surveyed the proposed location for the New Meghalaya Secretariat at New Shillong Township.
“We have come here to visit Mawdiangdiang, Mawpat, and Mawkasiang area to see the possibility of shifting the entire secretariat and the Government departments to this land,” Chief Minister Conrad Sangma told reporters.
While stating that the government had two options – one is the Mawpdang area and Mawdiangdiang area, he said, “We are examining the possibility of which is going to be a better option for us and for the people of the state.”
Further, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, the space in Mawdiangdiang has been allotted to a number of government departments, thus, reorganisation will be required.
“After coming here at Mawdiangdiang, we have seen that the area is divided and given to different department, so some rearrangement will have to be done, and we are able to rearrange and approximately get about 220 acres of land which should be sufficient for secretariat and other important offices and also different accommodation which need also to be put up,” the CM added.
. Conrad Sangma said that some other department offices can also be set up in the Mawpdang area.
“Other offices and the administrative building can go to the Mawpdang area which we have initially planned so we could do it in both areas,” he said.
While talking about the inspection, the CM said, “We have come to see the possibility and it looks like a very good option, because not only is the land sufficient but also very much closer to Shillong city and hence it will be easier for the public also.”
The State Government is also looking at the possibility of connecting Shillong city and the new locations through new roads.
“However, everything is at a planning stage, but all these aspects are being reviewed, we are positive that the new secretariat can come up in this area and the cabinet will take a final decision within a couple of weeks,” the Meghalaya Chief Minister said, adding lots of issues need to be discussed.
It may be noted that the new Assembly building is being constructed on 80-acre land at Mawdiangdiang in the New Shillong Township.
Thus, by shifting administrative buildings, Secretariat, and State Legislative Assembly, the government plans long term measure as Shillong has become very congested and since government has developed the NST, it is in the fitness of things that the government uses the new city to help ease the congestion in the state capital.