Shillong: The Meghalaya government has indicated that the long-pending relocation of 342 families from Harijan Colony in Shillong’s Them Iew Mawlong may only see resolution in 2025.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar revealed that discussions with the Central government and defence authorities are ongoing to finalize defence land for the relocation.
Deputy CM Dhar confirmed that while the state government has a contingency blueprint ready should defence land not be approved, a final decision is unlikely by the end of this year. He further added that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma will be engaging directly with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to expedite the matter.
The relocation of Harijan Colony has been a contentious issue for years, with various social, political, and logistical challenges delaying its resolution. Earlier this month, Dhar announced the state’s intention to seek the Union Defence Minister’s intervention regarding the allotment of defence land, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between state and central authorities in resolving the matter.
The proposed relocation is part of the government’s broader efforts to address urban development and longstanding land-use issues in Shillong. However, the timeline for its completion remains uncertain, with the matter now potentially extending into the next calendar year.
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