Shillong, Jan 7: The proposed site for relocation of the present Harijan Colony in the city is conducive for all stakeholders, according to the state government, which is still awaiting for the nod from the defence ministry to part with the land.
A green signal from the defence ministry for the proposed site at Mawlonghat will be a major breakthrough for the state government towards solving one of the most nagging issues that has raised its ugly head from time to time.
The two-acre area proposed by the state government to build a housing colony to relocate the 342 Harijan families is at a stone’s throw distance from the current colony at Them Iew Mawlong.
However, state government is keeping its fingers crossed while hoping for a positive response to the proposal.
“The ball is in the court of the defence ministry. So we expect them to give a response as quickly as they can and we are just waiting for them to communicate back to us,” chief secretary DP Wahlang told reporters while replying to a question regarding much-talked-about relocation of the Harijan Colony on Friday.
The government had earlier approached the central government to allot land in the vicinity of Mawlonghat, which belongs to the Army.
“The area that we have requested is quite small and it’s viable as far as we are concerned. Once we get a response from the defence ministry, we will take it forward,” the chief secretary said.
In fact, chief minister Conrad Sangma accompanied by commissioner and secretary of Urban Affairs visited Defence Ministry office in December last year to seek a positive response soon.
The proposed site in the defence land is by far the most agreeable among all proposed sites in the past many years.
The Gurudwara will not be affected if the defence land is allotted for the colony, Wahlang said.
Stating that the Harijan Panchayat Committee had earlier agreed to the proposed site for relocation as it would not impact the place of worship, he said, “I think it is a win-win situation, if it is approved.”
The chief secretary, meanwhile, expressed the possibility of the defence ministry curtailing the proposed area, in case it gives a go ahead to the project.
“We are talking about an area of 2 acres, which may be reduced to one and a half acres,” he said.
