Meghalaya's Harijan Colony Relocation Delayed, Decision Likely Pushed To 2025

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has suggested that the long-awaited relocation of 342 families from Harijan Colony in Shillong’s Them Iew Mawlong is not expected until 2025.

Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said discussions are ongoing with the Central government and defense authorities to finalize land for the relocation.

Deputy CM Dhar stated that the state government has a backup plan if the defense land is not approved, but a final decision is unlikely by the end of the year. He also mentioned that CM Conrad K. Sangma will talk directly to the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to speed up the process.

The relocation of Harijan Colony has been a very contentious issue over the years, hampered by social, political, and logistical challenges. Earlier this month, Dhar announced the state's plan to appeal to the Union Defence Minister for the allotment of defense land, stressing the importance of cooperation between state and central authorities to end the issue.

The proposed relocation is part of the government's broader mission to tackle urban development and longstanding land-use issues in Shillong. However, the timeline for completion is unclear,as this matter is now likely to defer its resolution into the next calendar year.

Meanwhile, the previous month, the state government has strongly defended its recent decision to reopen Harijan Colony Road after clarifying that the move had no bearing whatsoever on the lingering question of shifting 342 families from the area.

At the press conference held, Cabinet Minister and government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh reiterated that the reopening of the road, which took place on November 4, was to ease traffic congestion and to reduce the public inconvenience that had been prevailing for six years.

The government's decision is practical in nature and is an effort to reduce traffic congestion and the inconvenience faced by the public for the last six years," he said. "There is no link between this move and the prevailing situation relating to the relocation of the sweepers.".

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