The State government will call the Harijan Panchayat committee (HPC) tomorrow to discuss about the relocation of the 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony from Them Ïew Mawlong to the existing official quarters of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).
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.
Urban affairs minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the members of the High-Level Committee (HLC) headed by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong will meet the leaders of the panchayat committee.
He said technical assessment showed it will be possible to relocate all the 342 families to the SMB quarters, adjacent to the SMB office at Bishop Cotton Road.
The Urban Affairs Department had submitted the blueprint the HLC. However, the HPC, representing the families living wanted housing in the European Ward.
The Urban Affairs Department has proposed the construction of 12 residential blocks, each containing up to 40 flats. The new site has an area of 2.5 acres.
“The construction of the residential blocks would begin only after the meeting with the residents of Harijan Colony,” Dhar said.
