SHILLONG, JUNE 11: Bindas Syiem, a mother of three children on Tuesday called off her indefinite hunger protest after completing over 120 hours of fasting following the state government’s assurance to take up construction of the two road projects – Nongpoh-Umden and Umden to Byrnihat – within this year.
The written assurance was handed over by the deputy chief minister incharge PWD Prestone Tynsong to Bindas Syiem, who agreed to the government’s invitation for talks on the issue.
Addressing media persons after the meeting, Tynsong said, “The meeting was very productive so I have requested her to call off her indefinite hunger strike and she ultimately agreed to do that.”
Announcing her decision to call off her protest, Bindas Syiem said, “I sincerely express my gratitude to the state government for considering my demand and for giving me a satisfactory assurance. Accordingly, I take this opportunity to inform all my supporters in Shillong and other places that based on the government’s assurance I have decided to call off my hunger protest.”
She also decided to wait for people who wanted to meet her at the protest venue.
Soon after this, Bindas Syiem broke her fast by taking a spoonful of rice and water fed by her daughter.
Asked about the allegation that she is likely to contest the upcoming KHADC elections, Bindas Syiem however was tight-lipped and said, “Please wait, I don’t want to talk right now.”
The government’s written assurance issued by the Secretary incharge PWD KK Mawa has informed that the upgradation of Nongpoh-Umden-Sonapur (59km) is proposed to be taken up under NESIDs (Roads) and PMGSY-III.
“These two projects will be positively taken up within this year 2024,” Mawa said.
He said upgradation of Nongpoh-Umden road (20 kms) is proposed under NESIDS (Roads) to be funded by MDoNER, GOI at an estimated amount of approximately Rs 52 crore.
The road is proposed to be of intermediate lane and the items of work proposed includes earthwork, subgrade, protection works, construction of CC drains and pipe culverts, pavements works and road safety.
In March, 2024 itself the Ministry of DoNER had prioritized the 20 kms stretch of the Nongpoh-Umden road in their budget allocation. The project was delayed due to ensuing MP elections and model code of conduct.
The detailed project report (DPR) is under preparation and will be sent to the planning department by the end of this month.
Subsequently, the planning department will forward it to the Ministry of DONER through NEC secretariat for necessary action.
Further, extensions from Umden to Byrnihat and its surrounding villages along the road is approximately 39 kms in length have also been proposed under PMGSY-III, with an estimated amount of Rs 50.95 crore.
The proposal has already been uploaded onto the Online Management, Monitoring and Accounting System (OMMAS) of PMGSY.
The meeting of the empowered committee under the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India for sanctioning of the scheme is likely to be held shortly. These two projects will be positively taken up within this year 2024.
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