Guwahati: A review meeting on the under-construction Meghalaya Legislative Assembly complex in Mawkasiang ended abruptly on Tuesday after Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma expressed strong displeasure over delays in the interior work of the main Assembly hall and warned that the contract could be revoked if the deficiencies were not addressed.
Before the meeting, the Chief Minister inspected the construction site. The review concluded in less than 10 minutes, after which Sangma confronted a person associated with the project and issued a stern warning.
Sangma accused the person of damaging his reputation and warned that he would not spare those responsible, adding that he was prepared to cancel the contract.
Sources familiar with the project said the contract for the Assembly hall’s interior work had originally been awarded to local contractor Kitbok Warbah.
The work was later reportedly subcontracted to a New Delhi-based firm, with sources attributing part of the delay to the change in execution.
Although the state government has not officially explained why the meeting was cut short, Sangma’s remarks indicated his dissatisfaction with both the quality of work and the pace of progress.
The incident has also renewed attention on the project’s earlier setbacks. In May 2022, the dome of the same Assembly building collapsed during construction, raising questions about the quality of work and prompting the government to order an inquiry.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
Designed by New Delhi-based Design and Associates, the new Assembly complex is being constructed by Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Ltd.
The building is intended to replace Meghalaya’s original Legislative Assembly, which was destroyed in a fire more than two decades ago.
The Chief Minister’s Office had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report. It remains unclear whether Sangma’s warning will lead to the cancellation of the contract or any other administrative action.