Three IITs will be approached to seek their assistance in conducting a third party audit of the new Assembly building, which hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the central dome on the under-construction project collapsed spectacularly on Sunday.
The decision to carry out an audit was taken by a high-powered committee (HPC) today that comprised Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Leader of the opposition Dr Mukul Sangma, East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh, cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, Sniawbhalang Dhar and Dasakhiat Lamare, as well as Chief Secretary Rebecca Suchiang and other officials.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Metbah said that it was also decided that no outsiders or unauthorised persons will be allowed to enter the building for safety reasons. The entire section over the collapsed dome will also be covered so that water does not leak into the structure. Debris will remain where it is and will only be touched under the direction of the audit team.
The audit team will look into the reasons behind the collapse and also see if the remaining parts of the building have been damaged as well.
“We have decided to invite IIT teams for the audit. We suggested that there will be three IITs – Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi – and one of these will be selected depending on their readiness,” Metbah said, adding that the Public Works Department, which has come under intense criticism for its oversight (or lack thereof) of the new Assembly project.
Until the audit report is submitted, all work on the new building will be suspended, the Speaker informed.
The HPC will next meet only after the audit report is submitted. “For now it is too premature to take any decision or actions against anyone,” Metbah said.
