Shillong, July 31: Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Wednesday assured that the government is not compromising on the structural safety of the new Assembly building and is going all out to ensure that it meets the highest standards of safety and functionality.
“Once bitten, twice shy,” Sangma told reporters while emphasizing safety and security as a top priority following the incident of the dome collapse.
“It has to be done properly so that nothing is compromised, especially the security of our members,” he stated.
The Speaker has assured that the building is currently secure, but the interior works pose a significant challenge.
“The building is very secure but only the structural work has been completed. Now we are moving with the interior works which is a very big challenge for us,” he stated.
To ensure the building’s safety and quality, Sangma said the Assembly has engaged consultants who have worked on the interiors of the Parliament in Delhi.
“The load capacity of the ceiling is being vetted by IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee, and safety audits are being conducted regularly,” he added.
While no specific timeline has been provided, Sangma emphasized that the completion of the building will depend on the successful integration of all necessary features, including security, audio-visual, and acoustic components.
“The completion of the new Meghalaya Assembly building will depend on the successful integration of security measures and interior works. The building’s main hall requires careful consideration of audio-visual, acoustic, and security features,” he added further.
