Minister in-charge PWD (Buildings) Dasakhiatbha Lamare on Wednesday said there is no need for a CBI probe into the collapse of the dome of the new Assembly building at Mawdiangdiang.
Speaking to reporters, Lamare said, “I don’t think any CBI probe is needed because as per the report of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati…there are no irregularities in the materials or in the design while making the dome. This is something which is very unfortunate and it does happen, so what we have to do now is to pull up our sleeves. Let’s move forward and let’s finish it.”
Lamare has also denied that the IIT, Guwahati has any connection with the contractors – UPRNNL and Badri Rai & Co – who are implementing the project.
“As per my knowledge the IITG has no connection with the contractors. I had personally told them that whatever you do, how you do, please make sure it’s genuine…..I will not tolerate…if I hear about you being in association with the contractors,” he said.
On September 30, the opposition AITC national spokesperson Saket Gokhale had alleged that in 2018, IIT-Guwahati had floated a tender for construction of 160 units of F-type residential quarters (b) The cost of this project was ₹136.86 crores (c) The contract for this tender was finally given to UPRNNL which, astonishingly, subcontracted the work to Badri Rai & Co.
Meanwhile, the minister informed that the construction will resume immediately after the debris are cleared.
He said the new design of the structure to replace the dome have been approved recently. “Reconstruction of the structure will be fully born by the contractor.”
Lamare informed that the new Assembly building is expected to be completed within six months. “We hope that we can complete the project before the budget session 2023,” he said.