Neiphiu Rio says Foothills Road project faces stalemate as Centre seeks 30-metre land corridor free of cost before declaring it a National Highway.
Share
KOHIMA — The proposed Foothills Road project in Nagaland faces a stalemate as landowners in several areas are unwilling to part with land without compensation, while the Centre has asked the state to provide a 30-metre land corridor free of cost before the road can be considered for declaration as a National Highway and taken up with central funding.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio outlined the situation on Tuesday while replying to a starred question by MLA Achumbemo Kikon during the eighth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima.
Responding to the ultimatum issued by the Nagaland Foothill Road Co-ordination Committee (NFHRCC) demanding work orders for the remaining divisions by March 31, Rio said the ultimatum had “taken us by surprise.”
“We cannot build road in the air or in the sky,” he told the House, adding that land has to be made available before the government can begin work.
Also read: Foothills Road: 13 Naga tribes set March 31 ultimatum
Foothills Road row: NFHRCC warns of protest if Nagaland government misses March 31 deadline
Rio said the government had engaged with tribal hohos and urged them to provide land for the project. While some groups have agreed to give land free of cost, others have demanded compensation.
He informed the House that the cabinet had directed all deputy commissioners to convene meetings with tribal hohos through the district planning and development boards to decide whether 30 metres of land could be contributed free of cost for the Foothills Road. The districts were given three months to respond, but the government has yet to receive feedback.
WATCH MORE:
Rio also said the government needs the support of the public and landowners for the project. Referring to Wokha and Peren districts, he said the alignment of the so-called Foothills Road has in some places been taken up towards the hills instead of following the department’s proposed alignment along the foothills, which he said makes travel difficult for people from far-flung areas as they have to pass through several villages and mountainous stretches.
He added that the government has decided that the alignment will eventually follow the foothill route, as it would support economic activities along the corridor.
Further, Rio said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has asked the state government to ensure availability of 30 metres of land free of cost along the entire alignment, along with forest clearance, before the Centre can take up construction.
NLA session updates: Firecracker debate in Nagaland Assembly: Patton urges restraint during festivals
He clarified that land compensation cannot be paid as the Foothills Road has not yet been declared a National Highway.
“There is a provision that land compensation should be given in National Highway. But Foothill Road is not yet declared National Highway. So you cannot get land compensation,” he maintained.
Stating that development requires sacrifice, Rio told the House that “if we want development, we have to part with our land,” noting that the land required for the project largely consists of agricultural land. He added that compensation may be considered if properties are damaged.
The chief minister also said the road would open up economic opportunities, particularly for villages located in hill areas.
He also recalled that during 2011–12 the Railway Board had approved the Tizit–Dimapur and Dimapur–Khelma railway lines in parallel with the Foothills Road project, but said the projects now require land clearance and financial approval from the cabinet. He added that landowners have indicated they would provide land for the railway only after the Foothills Road is completed.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang stressed the importance of the Foothills Road, saying it is crucial for the state’s economic development.
He informed the House that although the Prime Minister’s Office has issued a notification that no new national highways will be declared across the country until further orders, the MoRTH has written to the Nagaland government acknowledging the importance of the Foothills Road.
According to Zeliang, the Centre has indicated it will consider declaring the Foothills Road a National Highway only after the state ensures availability of at least 30 metres of land free of cost and secures all statutory clearances, including forest and environmental approvals.
He said the ministry has also conveyed that once these conditions are met, it would initiate preparation of the Detailed Project Report and take up the project with 100 per cent central funding and no state share.
Zeliang, however, expressed concern that district administrations and some members have not treated the matter with urgency.
“But it appears that DC and concerned members are not very serious about this,” he said.
He added that the proposed Foothills Road project from Tizit to Khelma is estimated to cost around INR 2500 crore and urged members to consult tribal hohos in their respective districts and convey their decision to the state government so that the proposal can be taken forward with the Centre.