Kohima, March 12 (MExN): The Nagaland PWD (Roads & Bridges) has issued a clarification regarding statements made in the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) press release about the Foothill Road project.
On the Chief Minister’s reported remark, the Department stated that it “has been taken out of context.” The release explained that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, had required a minimum Right of Way (RoW) of 30 metres, free from all encumbrances, for the Foothill Road to be considered as a National Highway. The Department noted that “the response from landowners, local NGOs, and Tribal HOHOs had, however, been to offer only 12 metres of RoW free of cost.” It added that the Chief Minister’s remark was made in this specific context, as the project could not be undertaken independently by the State due to financial constraints.
Addressing allegations of political interference in contractor selection, the Department said these claims are “without basis.” It stated that “all prescribed tender formalities were duly observed, and the work orders were awarded strictly on the basis of the qualifications, eligibility, and merit of the bidders.” The release also clarified that Show Cause Notices issued to M/S JK Construction and M/S Chabou & Co on February 4, 2026, “were served precisely because the department holds all contractors to firm standards of quality and timely execution.”
Regarding assurances of project completion under SASCI by 2027, the department clarified that the statement pertained only to the first phase of the Foothill Road, amounting to ₹148.5 crore. “No commitment was made by the Minister with regard to the 2nd or any subsequent phase under the SASCI scheme,” the release stated, noting that demands for 2nd phase work orders based on that assurance were not aligned with what was actually said.
The release also addressed the demand to pursue 2nd phase work orders under SASCI instead of four-lane construction. It noted that the project involves substantial costs beyond the State’s independent capacity, but highlighted that “the State Government has released an amount of ₹245.50 Crore till date without any funding from MoRTH, reflecting its firm commitment to the progress of this project.” The Department detailed the efforts to secure Central funding, including a feasibility study and DPR approval in 2016, proposals to NHIDCL in 2022-23, and inclusion under PM Gati Shakti in 2023.
The department further explained that MoRTH’s conditions for National Highway status—availability of 30-metre RoW and all forest and environmental clearances—have been partially met. While forest clearance has been issued for the entire alignment and NOCs obtained from Mon, Longleng, Wokha, Niuland, and Chumoukedima districts for 12-metre RoW, “NOCs from Mokokchung and Peren Districts are still awaited.” The department said that these steps are to meet MoRTH’s conditions and are not tied to the second phase of SASCI.
The release reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to the completion of the Foothill Road and said it would “pursue all available avenues, Central, State and otherwise. This project continues to be a priority for the Government and all actions taken are in furtherance of that goal.”
It added that the department is making every effort to ensure the project progresses within the stipulated timeframe, while acknowledging that “certain hindrances such as procedural requirements imposed by the Central Government, the securing of statutory clearances and logistical challenges inherent to the terrain are unavoidable in a project of this scale and complexity.”
It called for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, assuring that “the Foothill Road project will be pursued until this long-cherished road is delivered to the people of Nagaland.”
