Shillong, Dec 4: The state government’s earlier plan to hold the budget session next year in the new Assembly building in Mawdiangdiang will not be a reality after the committee on the new Assembly building construction on Wednesday extended the deadline for completion by 100 days.
“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,” said Chief Minister Conrad Sangma after a review meeting.
Speaker Thomas A. Sangma chaired the High Power Committee (HPC) meeting on Wednesday to review the construction progress. It was attended by the chief minister, Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong (in charge of Parliamentary Affairs and PWD-Building) and Sniawbhalang Dhar (in charge of Urban Affairs), among others.
Earlier in February, the Speaker had said the September deadline would not be changed.
The Speaker informed that the target for completion of the new Assembly building was extended, to inaugurate it before the Autumn Session of 2025. The delay is attributed to the complex and unique design of the dome structure, which requires meticulous and cautious execution.
“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 2025,” he added.
The Chief Minister highlighted the changes to the dome’s design and materials. “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 said.
