Speaker says ‘absent’ of labourers hamper construction of new Assembly building

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 26, 2024

The ongoing construction of the new building of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has been affected to a great extent due to the “absent” of the labourers.

Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Friday said, “I have been trying to ensure that the progress of work is good enough and in fact I had also made a surprise visit yesterday and I am happy the progress is going okay and smoothly.

“However, I think because of the recent (happenings), some of the labourers were absent. We were supposed to have 200 workforce but I could see there were only around 50-60 labourers. So that is hampering the progress of the work,” he added.

Asked if the ongoing checks carried out by NGOs against undocumented migrant workers have affected this landmark project, the Speaker however said, “I don’t know I will not say anything about it but the workforce is very less but the progress is okay. At this pace I don’t think we will be able to finish within the timeline that was given.”

He informed that 95-96% of the work has been completed in regards to the left wing and right wing portion of the new building.

“The progress is okay and because of the rainy season, the work cannot progress at a faster pace but I believe and I am sure we will be able to complete it only once the central hall that covers the dome part then we do about furnishing and all these things,” he said.

According to him, so far there has been no cost escalation and that whatever was revised still stands.