DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN):In the backdrop of the Nagaland state government reviving interest in the long pending foothills road, the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) held that the project demands extraordinary treatment. The NFHRCC based the demand on the extraordinary circumstances that stirred government focus on the road.
Unlike other infrastructure projects in the state, the foothills road movement has had landowners foregoing compensation and free of taxation by Naga Political Groups, according to the NFHRCC.
“Being an extraordinary project… extraordinary yardstick should be applied while exercising selection of contractors/tendering process with the sole intention to safeguard the historic project from the clutches of any wanted elements,” the NFHRCC stated in a press release on March 17.
It cited an agreement with the Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union dating to April 7, 2014, “to the effect that NCSU will support the Foothills Road till completion as the same is an extraordinary project.” The press release made no mention, but at the time, the NCSU objected to the NFHRCC controversially insisting on awarding of work contracts for the foothills road through table tender as opposed to open and competitive bidding. The NCSU however relented after the tribal bodies, propping up the NFHRCC, warned the NCSU of embargoing projects in their territories, if the latter insisted on competitive bidding.
Considering the history of the foothills road and “in order to maintain transparency and workmanship of the project,” the NFHRCC further held that the construction of the road demands a “tripartite agreement” between the Department in concern (PWD), Contractor(s) and NFHRCC.
Terming the foothills road as the one and only project initiated by the Civil Society Organisations, it said, “In order to safeguard the entire interest of the Naga public it is stoutly resolved not to “Politicise” the project in any manner whatsoever.”
On March 1, during the Budget Session for 2024-25, the Chief Minister announced a Rs 148.5 cr package to develop the foothills road into an all-weather single lane from Niuland to Mon. The allocation was preceded by the state government doling out Rs 97 cr, which came in three tranches— Rs 40 cr in 2013, Rs 27 cr in 2014 and Rs 30 cr in 2021. A major chunk of the total amount went into formation cutting and building the Doyang Bridge. A portion of the amount allocated in 2021 went towards restoration of works already completed.
The NFHRCC further insisted that additional fund be allocated for the Khelma sector in Peren, over an above the Rs 148.5 cr allocated for the Niuland to Mon stretch. The scope of the foothills road initially was from Niuland to Tizit (Mon) but was later extended to reach up to Khelma. In addition, urged the government to build a “connectivity road” to link up Rengmapani with the foothills road.
While it reasserted the “No Land Compensation and No Taxation” resolution, it reiterated a “2013 agreement and NOC” provided to the state government, as endorsed by the tribal hohos, for a 40 feet wide two-lane foothills road.
