Shillong, Feb 6: Meghalaya Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Thursday said he does not want to rush shifting to the new building of the state Assembly as he wants to ensure safety of everyone following the dome collapse incident.

“I don’t want to rush. As speaker and head of the legislative Assembly it is my duty to ensure the safety of each and every member. We had earlier some incidents where the safety of the building was compromised. I think this time we are not taking any chances so better late than never,” Sangma said after chairing a high-powered committee (HPC) meeting here.

He however announced that likely the autumn session of the Assembly will be conducted in the new building this year.

“But we are definitely, if not the next session, then the autumn session will be conducted in the new Assembly premises,” Sangma said.

Stating that the physical work progress is over 90 percent, the Speaker said, “As we speak, the actual dome and main hall, the covering is being done and in a few days it will be completed and it will be handed over for interior works.”

Asked on the safety of the new building, Sangma said, “I am not a technically sound person but as a layman, I can tell you that when we talk about safety that earlier it was a 3000 ton load of the actual dome and now it has come down to 300 Mt. We are trying to make it as light as possible but without again, comprising on the strength of the structure.”

He informed that safety auditing is being conducted and said, “We have the PMC in place and we have our own technical adviser and we have the PWD working along with us and assisting us so technically we have very sound technical people, who are monitoring the work.”

“I will not be able to comment on that but action has been taken and we have a HPC meeting so HPC will take necessary action when the issue comes out,” Sangma said while responding to a question on the delay to take action against those responsible behind the dome collapse incident.

According to him, the HPC will likely sit again before the budget session, which will commence from February 28.

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