Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday said the Meghalaya Government has decided to shift Dalits from the Sweepers’ Colony at Lewduh to a new location at Nongmynsong. He said the Government needed the site in Lewduh for a Rs 19-crore housing colony and other development projects. When the Government earlier tried to evict the 350 families in Lewduh, they got a stay from court. Lyngdoh said the Government would explore legal options if the residents refused to move out, adding that they will get new quarters in Nongmynsong. “The area has become congested and the Government needs the land for further development,” he explained, adding that Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) Chief Executive Officer W L Lyngdoh had been holding discussions with the residents. Lyngdoh said there were plans to construct a flyover from Mahatma Gandhi Road to Lewduh with Rs 84 crore from the Centre. He said nine acres of defence land would be acquired for the project.
