Shillong, Jan. 8: The evening of January 9, 2001, was replete with gloom, despair and disenchantment as the picturesque British-era Meghalaya Assembly structure at Khyndailad was gutted in an inferno. The memories of that evening are imprinted in the minds of many, just as indelibly as the elegant structure.

But 14 years since the structure went up in flames, which left scores of citizens teary-eyed, Meghalaya is still bereft of an Assembly chamber of its own. The Assembly secretariat continues to function from Khyndailad. Perhaps, Meghalaya, which is going to complete 43 years of its statehood this month, is the only state in the country whose 'House' is still 'hanging fire'.

Since 2001, the Assembly sessions have been conducted either at the U Soso Tham auditorium or at the Arts and Culture Building. For 14 years,it was under these 'rented' accommodations that several legislations were passed, some governments voted out and some of the finest debates witnessed.

From 2001, efforts were made to construct the Assembly chamber at the Khyndailad locale, New Shillong Township at Mawdiangdiang, Upper Shillong and Tara Ghar which was the official residence of the chief minister opposite Ward's Lake. But the efforts went in vain.

Speaker Abu Taher Mondal expressed optimism that 2015 would be the beginning for Meghalaya to have its own Assembly chamber.

Speaking to this correspondent, he said the urban affairs department had handed over 80 acres at Mawdiangdiang for construction of the Assembly chamber, Assembly secretariat, offices of the Speaker, deputy speaker and others. But the 'biggest hurdle' for the construction is availability of funds.

Over the past several years, successive state governments had approached the Centre for financial succour in the construction of the Assembly structure. This time, too, the Centre and its different financial agencies would have to be sounded out if Meghalaya has to have a 'House' of its own at the earliest possible.

Since the 80 acres of land, which is on a hilly terrain, has been handed over, the onus would now be on the Assembly secretariat to finalise the detailed project report before funds can be sought. However, Mondal said that the Assembly secretariat would have to move for environmental clearances from both the Centre and the state before any work is carried out on the allotted land.

'We do not have the requisite manpower to prepare such reports, and hence, it would be incumbent upon us to engage consultants,' Mondal said. Agencies of the state like the Meghalaya Government Construction Corporation, and the PWD (buildings) could be options although the involvement of private consultants is another alternative.

He said that earlier, the Planning Commission was moved to provide requisite funds for the construction of the new Assembly structure. But with the change of guard at the Centre and a complete alteration of the Planning Commission, Mondal said, the state would have to wait and watch as to how the newly-established Niti Aayog would turn out.

The other funds contributors could include the Union finance ministry, DoNER ministry, North Eastern Council and the Meghalaya government.

'We have to keep all our options open as funds cannot come from one organisation alone and we also do not require funds in one go. They can be allotted in phases,' Mondal said.

The Speaker said: 'We cannot say that my predecessors made no effort in constructing the Assembly structure. They have put in efforts, but due to unforeseen problems, the efforts could not materialise.' He also made it clear that 'we do not want a House which would face reservation from the people of the state'.

'It is not that we are not willing to do it (constructing the new Assembly structure). We are not sitting idle. But to get proper land is difficult,' he said, requesting the people to see that nothing 'untoward happens' in the endeavour to construct the new Assembly structure at Mawdiangdiang.

Mondal promised that this year will be 'very positive' as far as the efforts to construct an Assembly structure is concerned. But it remains to be seen whether Meghalaya will finally get its own House before the 2018 Assembly polls.