The ongoing conflict and controversy over the execution
of the Foothills Road project is unnecessary and a distraction as we have other
more pressing issues to deal with.
All parties involved in the process—the Nagaland Foothills
Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), state govt. and contractors should be
grateful that the long awaited road project is finally a reality and that this
‘People’s Road’ will become a valuable asset for Nagaland.
It has been widely acknowledged as truth that the NFHRCC
laid the groundwork for the road project to see the light of day. Without their
effort it would perhaps be correct to say that there would have been no such
project or road. It is important therefore, to honour the role and
participation of the NFHRCC till the completion of the Foothills Road.
On his part, the Minister of Roads & Bridges, Govt.
of Nagaland has shown exemplary courage to take responsibility for the
successful completion of the road project to the extent of making a public
declaration that he will even resign for any failure that may arise in the
execution of the project.
Now therefore it is a humble suggestion that the
misunderstanding over the execution of the project should be urgently resolved
without allowing emotions to divide us further along tribal and political
lines.
The best thing will be to redraft a single agreement that
would require all contractors selected for this project to sign with the
Nagaland govt. as the executive authority and include the NFHRCC as a signatory
(guardian) to jointly monitor the road project. The points of concern raised by
the NFHRCC, most notably to ensure quality work and proper fund use, should be
included, if required, after due amendment.
The overwhelming public support and mandate for the early
resumption and completion of this historic, people-led ‘Extraordinary Project’
should not be derailed under any circumstances. As a first step forward to
resolve the issue, the chief minister should personally intervene. The state
govt. and NFHRCC should sit together and rework the implementation agreement
without further delay. Let sound judgment prevail.
