SHILLONG, OCT 23: The construction of the much awaited new building of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is likely to commence next month, with the High Powered Committee (HPC) today giving its nod for opening of the financial bid on October 25.
At least three out of seven companies, who have casted their tenders, have been qualified after technical evaluation.
These include Shapoorji Pallonji, Simplex Infrastructure Private Limited and Shree Gautum Construction Company Limited.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting of the HPC here, Assembly Speaker Abu Taher Mondal said, “We have decided that the Public Works Department should go ahead and open the financial bid on October 25. The work will be allotted to the lowest bidder (or L1).”
“Once the financial bid is open other process will be initiated and we are hoping that the construction work will start by next month,” he added.
According to him, an agreement between the successful bidder and the government will also be signed shortly.
Mondal however said that they have put some limitation for the company to complete the construction work and if the particular firm does not want to go ahead, the work may go to the second bidder.
Asked, the speaker said that the estimated cost for the construction of new Assembly building at an 80 acres land in the New Shillong Township (Mawdiangdiang) is at Rs 141.14 crore and the targeted time fixed to complete the project is within 36 months (3 years).
Stating that the new Assembly building will be a landmark for the state of Meghalaya, he said the new building will constitute the chamber, secretariat (administrative block of Assembly), chamber for ministers and MLAs, library, banquet hall and other related infrastructures which include facilities for the fourth estate.
The structural design was awarded to Design Associate and the structure was vetoed by IIT-Roorkee, which is the best institution as far as the seismic activity is concerned.
“This was necessary because the state falls under seismic zone V and according the designed was vetoed by IIT Roorkee,” he said while informing that there were around eleven firms of national reputed came forward to compete for the design competition.
It may be mentioned here that the State Legislative Assembly for the past 16 years does not have a permanent building ever since the fire incident that destroyed the old assembly building at Khyndailad way back in 2001.
The incident had made Meghalaya to become the only state in the country without an Assembly building.
The delay in the construction of the new building was also due to problem in finalization of the land.
Earlier in 2004, the state Assembly had resolved not to shift the venue for the reconstruction of the
There was also a decision to have the new building at the heritage site – Taraghar but this was also dropped after a petition was filed before the High Court.
By Our Reporter
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