Govt all set to shift administrative building to NST

Addressing media persons after the meeting, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said, “(We) have approved the shifting of the administrative building of government of Meghalaya to the NST near Mawpdang Mawkhanu.”

He informed that the government has already acquired 807.7 acres of land in the NST adding that the foundation stone for the same will be laid on January 21, which will coincide with the 50th year of statehood celebrations.

He said that the decision was made taking into consideration the traffic congestion in Shillong.

“Also taking into cnsideration the expanding of the NST, the administrative building and government offices will be shifted to the new site at Mawpdang and Mawkhanu,” Rymbui added..

When asked about the project cost, the home minister however said, “This is not a short term but it is long term measure as we you see Shillong has become very congested and since government has develop the NST, it is fit for the government to have a planned town so it will not only help ease the congestion in Shillong but moreover it will also develop the other periphery of the Shillong Agglomeration as a whole.”

Whether all government offices including the secretariat will be shifted to the NST, Rymbui said it will be done in a phase manner.

“As I said this is a long term plan of the government we cannot do it in one or three years but once the plan is there, different departments and different directorates will have to plan as to what is the need taking into account the new age administration. So the nitty grity we will workout but decision has been taken that ultimately the new Shillong will be at some point of time, it will be a permanent administrative building for the state of Meghalaya,” he asserted.

By Our Reporter