Shillong, September 13: The Minister incharge of the Health Department in the State, James P.K Sangma said that the Government has identified a different site for the construction of the Shillong Medical College, rejecting the already available site in R.P Chest Hospital, Mawbah where a foundation stone had already been laid.
He said that the Government has identified another site which measures 50 acres in New Shillong Township. He said that shifting the site for the plan to construct the SMC to NST is after having kept in mind that the site in Mawbah is not suitable for future requirements due to the space congestion of the said site in the midst of urban areas.
Presenting the question for discussion in the Legislative Assembly, the KHNAM MLA from North Shillong, Adelbert Nongrum expressed concern over the delay in the construction of the Shillong Medical College, even as Meghalaya has already crossed 50 years of Statehood.
James Sangma said that the Government is facilitating means for the option of a private-public partnership (PPP) with other companies with the support from DEA NITI Aayog, after the contract with KPC Group was cancelled.
He said that the contract with KPC Group for the construction of the Medical College was cancelled after this company wanted to extend the lease agreement from 30 years to 99 years and also hiked the price for construction.
