SHILLONG, FEB 1: Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Thursday said he is not happy with the progress of work for construction of the new Assembly building.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said, “I had conducted an inspection today and I am not very happy with the progress of work frankly speaking.”
The Speaker said he has immediately asked the need to expedite the progress of work.
He said there is a delay in the coming of materials. “As you all know the central, where the House is being built on prefabricated steel, so materials take time to come here especially our roads not able to carry so much of loads as it has to go round while coming so it takes time for the material to reach. However, 50% of the materials have been reached so they can start the work.”
Asked, the Speaker said, “There are so many other factors because it (material) is coming all the way from Maharashtra, so it takes time.”
He added, “The progress is happening but it is slightly slow. As I said, because of the materials not being able to reach because we have completed only the paneling works are being carried out in the right wing and left wing of the building. The work is almost completed. I can say safely it is almost around 90%. The only part remaining is the middle portion which is the main hall where we will have the Assembly Hall.”
The Speaker said that efforts are being made to meet the September deadline.
“September deadline is still on. There is still time where we can finish it. We have been assured that the house flooring, the central hall, and the dome’s portion will be completed by March. So if that happens I think we should be on time,” he said.
Sangma said the debris caused by the collapse of the dome has totally cleared. “I am taking personal interest in it so I am regularly going to visit and try to make sure the work does not get delayed,” he added.