Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma today said the autumn session this year will be held at the new assembly building, which is under construction at New Shillong township.
He said that over 90 per cent of construction has been completed and that past safety concerns have been addressed.
“I believe that, if not during the budget session, the autumn session will definitely take place in the new Assembly premises. As I speak, the dome covering is being installed and will be finished in a few days, after which we will start the interior work,” the Speaker stated.
It may be mentioned that the new building has been beset by construction problems. The biggest of these was the dramatic collapse of the under-construction dome in May 2022. Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident, only loss of face for the government.
“As the Speaker and head of the legislative assembly, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of every member present… This time we are not taking any chances. Better late than never,” he said.
The Speaker also said the dome’s weight has been reduced from 3,000 to 300 metric tonne to enhance stability.
He informed that a safety audit is underway. “We have a Project Management Consultant (PMC) in place, along with our own technical adviser and assistance from the Public Works Department (PWD). We have technically skilled individuals overseeing and monitoring the process,” he added.
The Speaker also said that the high-powered committee is overseeing the cost and time overrun.
