The state government has given until April 10 to the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) to reply to its proposal for relocation from Them Ïewmawlong.
This was informed today by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who is also in charge of Urban Affairs.
He said that the government wrote to the HPC yesterday and once the latter’s reply is received, a meeting will be convened to take the process forwards.
Last year the Urban Affairs Department proposed that the residents of the Harijan Colony at Them Ïewmawlong be rehoused in the existing quarters of the Shillong Municipal Board. The resettlement has proven contentious after the government’s first choice of area – around the TB Hospital in Mawbah – drew fierce opposition from locals over fears of overcrowding.
The HPC, representing the 342 families living in Them Ïewmawlong, wanted housing in the European Ward.
Once the residents move out, the government will come up “with the best project”, the Deputy CM said, to redevelop Them Ïewmawlong, which sits adjacent to the bustling commercial area of Ïewduh.
