NFHRCC response to PWD (W&H)

Reply to the Rejoinder issued by the Principal Secretary PWD (W&H) Nagaland on 23-02-2014, against the statement issued by the NFHRCC on 22-02-2014 to the effect that the State government had abandoned the Foot Hill Project for the last 40 years. In this regard it is expedient to state herein that the history of Nagaland Foot Hill Road was started way back in 1970s or the Foot Hill Road was gave birth in 1970s. However, the fact remains that since from seventies the said project was laying as dead-wood and with the passage of time it was gathering dust. Consequent upon which the Naga publics were forced to walk over the cactus coupled with humiliation in the road of our neighboring state. Admittedly, as per the statement issued by the Principal Secretary, PWD (W&H) it appears that the Govt. didn’t abandon the Foot Hill’s project but due to funding constraints the same was not materialized. In ordinary parlance it is very difficult to digest the fact that the popular government was not in a position to arrange the necessary fund for the last 40 years to construct the Foot Hill Road. If the government claims that the Foot Hill Project was not abandoned then in that view of the matter the project would have executed to some reasonable extent or the project would have woken from its deep slumber at least once in 40 years. However, despite of active initiative as stated by the department nothing has been executed nor seen within the span of 40 years. Therefore, having considered the same there was no alternative appropriate word available with NFHRCC other than to state the infamous word “Abandoned”.

The bond of contention in the instant Foot Hill’s Project is, as to why the Project is called “EXTRAORDINARY”? Unlike other project, the Foot Hill Project which was started way back in 1970s and subsequently the said project after a gap of 40 years has been initiating by the Naga public. Wherein, the land owners fully agreed upon to part with their land without a penny of compensation. Freedom fighters exempted their taxes having known the survival road for the Nagas and above all the popular government is putting extraordinary efforts to fulfill the aspiration of the people therefore the Foot Hill’s Project is an extra-ordinary project.

NFHRCC since from its inception is closely co-coordinating with the concerned PWD (R&B) department therefore there is healthy relationship between the NFHRCC and the concerned department till date. Which means that the concerned department fully understood the stand of the NFHRCC as well the Foot hill committee thoroughly seen the sincere efforts put in by the concerned department headed by Principal Secretary PWD (W&H) and Chief Engineer. Therefore, the question of interfering over the technical works of the concerned department and passing sweeping comments and judgment over technical matter by the Foot hill committee is highly irrelevant.  

It is pertinent to mention herein that, the Foot hill road was born in 1970s and for the construction of the same Foot hill road the NFHRCC has been actively initiating since from the month of May 2013. Therefore, to avoid confusion from the minds of the public, it is made very clear that the present construction is the same Foot Hill Road which was born in 1970s. NFHRCC wholeheartedly welcome the bigger project for the road construction if any. However, the facts remains that it took around 40 years to ignite the present Foot Hill Road Construction therefore the NFHRCC pray that the bigger project which is supposedly initiating by the government should not allow to roll on, on the same tract so as to fulfill the desire of the people.

NFHRCC highly appreciate the present government for their genuine commitment and sincere initiative for materializing the much talked Foot Hill Road construction under the stewardship of Hon’ble Chief Minister Rio, Hon’ble concerned Minister Azo, all the Hon’ble border MALs and Principal Secretary PWD (W&H) Temjen Toy and Chief Engineer D. Mero. In this regard the NFHRCC on several occasioned appreciated and acknowledged the popular Govt. and the concerned department through public speeches and printed media for their sincere efforts and endeavors. NFHRCC is looking forward for more understanding and co-operation from the popular government and concerned PWD (R&B) department to accomplish the long cherish goal.