Flags concerns over ‘defective’ DPR at Baghty
Dimapur, December 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), in consultation with tribal hohos, has reiterated its demand for the immediate completion of the two-lane Foothills Road from Tizit to Khelma before undertaking any further extensions.
In a press release, the Committee also urged the Government to issue the Phase-II project under the SASCI loan component to all remaining divisions at the earliest through an open tender system.
The NFHRCC said it was “utterly shocked” to learn of what it described as a defective DPR (Detailed Project Report) in the Baghty Division.
According to the Committee, during the ongoing works, which include five double-lane solid galvanised steel bridges and 41 km of road upgradation from Doyang Bridge (Governor’s Camp, Liphanyan) to Merapani Foothills Point, there is no provision for embankment, side walls or retaining walls throughout the stretch.
It stated that during several joint inspection visits, department officials were unable to provide adequate explanations regarding these omissions. The Committee further noted that the overall progress of works has been “abysmally slow.”
Following a resolution adopted on December 5, the NFHRCC has entrusted the Lotha Hoho and its subordinate bodies -LLRPO, YAPO and others to urgently convene a meeting with the concerned contractor firms and divisional officials to address the discrepancies and ensure timely completion of what it termed the “People’s Road.”
The Committee also called on the NPWD (Roads & Bridges) to fill the existing staff shortages in the Baghty Division, observing an “acute shortage” of field personnel required to supervise the longest stretch of the entire Foothills Road project.
It expressed hope that the department would take the matter seriously and “leave no stone unturned” to ensure justice is delivered without prejudice.
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