Dimapur, March 8 (MExN): The Nagaland Foothills Road Construction Committee (NFHRCC) has reminded the State Government and the PWD (Roads & Bridges) Department regarding the issuance of the second phase work order for the remaining divisions of the Foothills Road project.
In a press release, the committee stated that it was drawing attention to the ultimatum served to the Government of Nagaland by 13 Dimapur-based tribal hohos, which had set March 31 as the deadline for issuing the work order through an open tender process for the remaining divisions within the surveyed areas. However, it stated that “yet, there is no indication from the concerned Department of any response up till now.”
The NFHRCC further urged the tribal bodies to prepare for possible action if the government fails to respond within the stipulated time. The committee said it had “diligently… urged upon the Tribal HOHOs to gear up mentally, emotionally, financially and strategically ready to go for any democratic form of protest in the event of the Government failing to keep the 2 Lane Foothills Road construction initiatives alive.”
It also noted that the Government of Nagaland had already invested significant funds in the project, stating that “the Government of Nagaland had already infused about Rs.248.5 Crores inclusive of the ongoing 1st Phase SASCI Loan Scheme of Rs.148.5 Cr.”
According to the committee, the Foothills Road project was initiated in 2013 as a people’s initiative. It described the project as “a mega project covering a distance of 395.9 kms connecting Tizit in Mon District to Khelma in Paren district passes through 8 Districts and more than 200 villages along the stretch.”
The NFHRCC further stated that during the initial phase, the committee, along with the NPWD and tribal hohos, secured land and other clearances required for the project. It said that they had “already obtained an NOC for 40 ft land without compensation from the Land owners and a Tax exemption from the NNPGs in 2013,” following which “a requisite alignment in all sectors was finalised.” It added that the original NOCs obtained from the tribal hohos were handed over to Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio in 2018 upon his request.
The committee also noted that the State Government had decided to construct the two-lane Foothills Road in phases under the SASCI loan scheme. It stated that “the Hon’ble CM was kind enough to construct the 2 Lane Foothills Road Project under SACSI Loan Scheme on phase manner which was to be completed by 2027,” adding that the first phase of construction was nearing completion.
Referring to the significance of the project, the NFHRCC said that “for the last more than 60 years of Nagaland Statehood, the Nagas are yearning for a survival road for all round developments as road is the mother of development.”
The committee further appealed to the State Government and the concerned department to focus on completing the ongoing two-lane project before considering expansion. It stated that “the NFHRCC humbly appeals to the Govt. of Nagaland and the concerned department to first complete the ongoing Two-Lane Road construction under SASCI and thereafter, we can go for the four-lane road construction as per National Highways Act.”
It added that “the ongoing two-lane road construction under SASCI shouldn't be mixed with or confused with a four lane road under MoRTH (NH Act.).”
