Shillong, Dec 4: The completion of Meghalaya’s new Assembly building at Mawdiangdiang, in the outskirts of Shillong, has been extended to the autumn session of 2025. This decision was made during the High Power Committee (HPC) meeting chaired by Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on Wednesday.

The delay is primarily attributed to the unique and challenging design of the building’s dome structure, which requires meticulous and cautious execution.

In a briefing following the meeting, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma said, “The High Power Committee meeting today (Wednesday) was very productive. With deep concern, we have made certain decisions. The progress so far is satisfactory, but we are proceeding very slowly and carefully because of the unique structural design of the main hall dome. There is no similar design in this part of the country. We cannot afford to rush and risk another mishap.”

He added, “A structural engineer has already been posted at the site to ensure quality control. Initially, we hoped to hold the budget session here, but we regret that the sensitive work still pending won’t allow us to do so. Instead, we aim to complete the project and inaugurate the building before the autumn session of 2025.”

The dome work, a major component of the project, was identified as the primary cause of the delay. The Speaker explained, “The majority of the pending work involves the dome. It includes extensive steel structures being welded and fixed, which takes time and precision.”

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who also attended the meeting, emphasized the need for careful planning to avoid complications, referencing a mishap that occurred in the past. “The work is progressing well, but we have faced challenges. Engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD), the Project Management Consultant (PMC), and contractors have held multiple reviews to address every detail. The HPC has agreed on a 100-day extension, making it impossible to hold the budget session as originally planned. However, we remain optimistic about completing the project by the autumn session of 2025,” he stated.

The Chief Minister highlighted significant changes to the dome’s design and materials to ensure stability and safety. “The earlier dome design was suspended on a platform and weighed 3,000 metric tons. Now, the new design places the dome’s structure on the main beams and foundation, reducing the weight to 85 metric tons. This change ensures greater stability and addresses seismic safety, rain leakage, and long-term maintenance concerns,” he explained.

Other members present at the HPC meeting included Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong (in charge of Parliamentary Affairs and PWD Buildings) and Sniawbhalang Dhar (in charge of Urban Affairs), along with MLAs Charles Pyngrope, Lahkmen Rymbui, Banteidor Lyngdoh, Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang, Assembly Commissioner and Secretary Dr. Andrew Simons, and other officials.

The state government aims to ensure that the new Assembly building will not only be an iconic structure but also a functional and long-lasting facility. It is designed to provide a conducive working environment with adequate space for legislators, staff, and political parties.

Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub

Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub