Shillong, Apr 21 (PTI) Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Tuesday said talks with Assam on the border dispute will resume after a new government is formed in the neighbouring state.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar said the next round of talks would depend on Assam constituting its regional committees.
“Dialogue with the counterpart is a continuous process. Let us wait till the new government is formed in Assam, and we will continue the discussion. That is very clear,” he said.
“As of now, we don’t know who will be the chairman from their side as the new government is yet to be formed,” he added.
Assam voted for its 126-member assembly on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled to be held on May 4.
On whether the issue could be resolved before the Meghalaya assembly polls in 2028, Dhar said there is no fixed timeline.
“We are always trying to resolve the issue. Because it involves both states, we are trying to resolve the issue at the earliest, but it is not so easy,” he said.
“I cannot say whether we can solve it in two years or in two months, but we will always try our best to resolve it at the earliest,” he said.
The two Northeastern states had, in 2022, signed MoUs for six of the 12 areas of differences along the border, ending decades of claims and counterclaims.
On the Shillong airport expansion project, Dhar said the tender has already been allotted, and work is expected to begin shortly.
He said that the project is likely to be completed within 18 months.
“Let us see. It seems the time of completion for the contractor is 18 months,” Dhar said, adding that details regarding the contractor and the construction plan are being sought by the state government from the Centre.
“I have asked the Commissioner of Transport to communicate with them, as we would like to know who the contractor is and what type of construction will take place. Maybe next month we will know who the contractor is, what rate they put, and what the time of completion is,” he said. PTI JOP SOM
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