Shillong, Mar 17: Tourism Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday informed the Assembly that the Tourism department has decided not to take Rs. 200 lakh or Rs. 2 crore from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for “Beautification of Umiam View Point” as the amount sanctioned is too less in comparison to the proposed cost of the project.

Replying to a query by Umroi MLA George Lyngdoh, Dhar said the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has approved Rs. 200 lakh against the proposed amount of Rs. 700 (Rs. 7 crore), hence the department has decided to drop the scheme and look for other sources of funding to take up the project.

“The approved amount is not sufficient to meet the proposal and as the items of work are inter-related and partial implementation of the scheme due to shortfall in the sanction amount will not meet with the objective of this proposal, the scheme has not been taken up. The Department is now examining for new source of funding for taking up the project,” informed Dhar.

According to the Tourism Minister the proposal had the following components:

Phase 1 – Civil Works

A. First Deck (100 Rmt)

1. Steel fabricated deck with staircase -Rs 206.65 lakh

2. Kiosks 45 nos. -Rs 30.02 lakh

3. Elevators (Lift) 2 nos. – Rs27.14 lakh

4. Glass Railings -Rs 9.20 lakh

5. Public Convenience – Rs 30.00 lakh.

B. Second Deck (80 Rmt)

1. Steel fabricated deck with staircase – Rs 190.22 lakh

2. Food Kiosks -Rs 26.89 lakh

3. Entrance Foyer – Rs40.96 lakh

4. Elevators (Lift) 1 no. -Rs 13.57 lakh

5. Public Convenience -Rs 15.00 lakh.

C. Supporting Infrastructure

1. Landscaping & retaining walls with metal railings-Rs 22.59 lakh

2. Development of parking area (with cobble’s)-10.21 lakh.

NON CIVIL WORKS

1. Solar street lights & bollards for landscaping -Rs 4.96 lakh

2. Signages (Information & Directional)-Rs 3.78 lakh

3. Procurement of supporting infrastructure (furniture) & sitting benches – Ra 10.00 lakh

4. Solid Waste Management & Integrated Sewerage system and site drainage system – Rs 6.60 lakh

5. Water Supply – Rs 6.26 lakh.

Total (Civil & Non Civil works) =Rs 654.04 lakh

Add contingencies consultancy, Labour cess & quality control 8% of total =Rs 52.32 lakh

Grand Total = Rs 706.37 lakh (Rs7.06 crore)