Committee raises concerns over delay in execution of Foothil
Committee raises concerns over delay in execution of Foothills Road project
The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee has raised concerns over delays in executing the Foothills Road project due to some contractor firms’ refusal to sign the mandatory implementation agreement with the committee
DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Foothills Road
Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has raised concerns over delays in executing
the Foothills Road project due to some contractor firms’ refusal to sign the
mandatory implementation agreement with the committee.
According to the NFHRCC, the Foothills Road project is
considered a “people’s project” as landowners have parted with their land
without compensation, and Naga political groups have refrained from imposing
taxes.
In a press release on Monday, the NFHRCC stated that it was
“entrusted by the concerned department to search the contractors for Foothills
Road construction” in 2013. Accordingly, the concerned department had issued
the work orders to the contractors.
Similarly, in 2024, the committee was entrusted to search
for contractors to take up four projects and consequently, work orders were
issued to four firms who had “duly signed an implementation agreement with the
committee and started their construction activities.”
Further, it said that the Foothills Road project was
sanctioned under Special Assistance to State for Capital Investment (SASCI)
scheme and in December 2024, work orders were issued to 14 contractor firms for
a cumulative amount of INR 148.5 crore.
Out of these, nine firms signed the agreement with the
NFHRCC on Dec. 17, 2024 and commenced work. However, seven other firms are yet
to sign the agreement.
In this connection, the committee stated that despite
multiple requests, meetings as well as consultations with apex tribal bodies,
such as the Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Sumi Hoho, Phom People’s Council, and Konyak
Union, the concerned firms have not submitted signed agreements.
Further, it said that during a consultative meeting with the
Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Sumi Hoho on Feb. 4, the proprietor of a construction
firm allegedly walked out of the meeting. As a result, the Lotha Hoho was given
the responsibility of resolving the matter with contractors, and it was also
“resolved not to allow the defaulting firms to execute the work without signing
an agreement with the committee.”
Subsequently, the Minister for PWD (R&B) reportedly met
with the 12 apex tribal hohos on Feb. 7 and after through deliberations on the
implementation agreement, “no infirmity has been detected,” and the department
would soon meet with the committee.
The NFHRCC has appealed to the minister to intervene and
direct the firms to sign the agreement and begin work immediately. It further
emphasised that the working season is nearly over, and any further delay would
hamper progress.
Failure to comply, the committee asserted, should result in
the cancellation of the work orders and reallocation to firms willing to
maintain workmanship and transparency as per the established practice.
