Excavators form a symbolic archway during the inauguration of the Foothill Road stretch from Doyang Bridge to the Merapani sector in Wokha district on May 23.
Morung Express News
Wokha | May 23
The Foothill Road stretch from Doyang Bridge to the Merapani sector under the Executive Engineer (EE) Baghty Division was inaugurated on May 23 by MLA and SDPDB Bhandari chairman Achumbemo Kikon at Doyang Bridge in Wokha district.
Representatives from the Lotha Hoho, Lower Lotha Range Public Organisation (LLRPO), Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH) and other civil society organisations attended the programme.
The event was chaired by Yamhon Area Public Organisation (YAPO) president Thungdemo Tungoe, while the invocation prayer was delivered by senior pastor Woreno Ovung. Contractors and representatives of various organisations also addressed the gathering.
Speaking on behalf of the two construction firms, M/S Chabou & Co. and JK Construction, contractor Dr John Murry acknowledged Kikon’s efforts in ensuring completion of the project.
He said the inauguration became possible because of the MLA’s determination and persistence in raising the issue in the Assembly.
Murry also appreciated the Roads and Bridges (R&B) Department and the district administration for their support during execution of the project despite difficult terrain, heavy rainfall and limited infrastructure facilities.
Presenting the technical report, officials of the Roads and Bridges Department said that under SASCI 2023-24, eight work orders were issued for the Foothill Road project in Baghty Division, including three road packages and five double-lane modular steel bridges.
The project covers a total stretch of 38.6 km from Doyang Bridge near Governor’s Camp to Merapani.
According to the report, the road alignment was divided into three packages — Governor’s Camp Doyang Bridge to Shantatchu River (Liphi Junction) covering 15 km, Shantatchu River to Pangtong VR Junction covering another 15 km, and Pangtong VR Junction to Merapani covering 8.6 km.
The scope of work included road widening to two-lane specifications, laying of a 150 mm granular sub-base layer, earthen shoulders, side drains, reconstruction of 66 hume pipe culverts, construction of 80 new culverts, five box culverts and protection works.
Officials stated that, except for granular sub-base works near bridge locations, most road works had been completed and overall progress of road construction stood at around 99 per cent.
The report further stated that double-lane modular steel bridges had been constructed over the Jakvarenchu, Shantatchu, Jungtchu, Sungkhatchu and Tsumang rivers.
While erection and launching of bridge superstructures have been completed, ancillary works including toe walls, approach slabs, river aprons and post-erection works remain in progress, with overall bridge construction progress estimated at 98 per cent.
Authorities, however, advised restrictions on heavy vehicular movement, stating that due to funding constraints only the granular sub-base layer had been completed and final surfacing work remained pending.
The report cautioned that the present road condition was unsuitable for prolonged heavy traffic movement and recommended restrictions on vehicle tonnage until surfacing work could be undertaken.
Vice chairman of Lotha Hoho and chairman of Dimapur Lotha Hoho, Thungchamo Murry, described the inauguration as a significant milestone and said the project would greatly benefit the region.
LLRPO president T Amos Kikon and RALH chairman C S Ovung also expressed appreciation to the MLA, department officials and contractors for completing the long-awaited project.
