Meghalaya Government to Review Harijan Colony Relocation Plan Next Month
Shillong: The Meghalaya government will conduct a high-level review next month on the long-pending relocation of around 342 families from the Harijan Colony (also known as Sweeper Colony) in Them Iew Mawlong, Shillong.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who holds the Urban Affairs portfolio, announced that a meeting has been scheduled for June 2026 to discuss the issue and take stock of the latest developments. The government is still exploring the possibility of using defence land for the relocation but is yet to receive a final response from the Defence Ministry. If the defence land option does not materialise, authorities will fall back on the previous blueprint, which includes utilising Shillong Municipal Board land or other identified sites.
The relocation initiative forms part of broader urban development efforts aimed at decongesting the Them Iew Mawlong area. The families, largely belonging to the Mazhabi Sikh/Dalit community and engaged in sanitation work, have resided in the colony for generations.
The proposal has been under discussion for several years, with initial mentions dating back to at least 2022. Progress has been hampered by challenges such as land availability, obtaining consent from residents through the Harijan Panchayat Committee, ongoing court cases, and the need for coordination between state and central government agencies.
As of late 2025, expectations were high for a decision by early 2026, but deliberations have continued. The upcoming June meeting is expected to provide clarity on whether the defence land route will be pursued or if the original relocation plan will be implemented.
The sensitive issue involves balancing urban redevelopment goals with the rights and concerns of the affected community. Local residents and stakeholders await the outcome of the review with keen interest.
Further updates are likely to emerge following the high-level meeting next month.
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