NFHRCC flags slow progress of Foothills Road projects

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Foothills Road Co-ordination Committee (NFHRCC) conducted a joint inspection visit to the eight allocated work sites on November 15, which included five double-lane galvanised steel bridges and three land upgrade projects in Baghty sub-division.

In a press release, the committee stated that the joint comprised 13 tribe representatives, the Lotha Hoho and its subordinates, contractor firms of seven projects, the Aggrieved Foothills Forum, Bhandari & Changpang Area, and a department representative.

On November 22, a joint inspection was carried out in Dimapur division's Niuland-Hovekhu stretch, linking Old Ralan area of Baghty sub-division.

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The NFHRCC stated that the workmanship of M/s N Chiso & Sons at the work site, including the galvanised double-lane steel structure over River Dadi, was found to be progressing well and is expected to be completed within the stipulated time period, which is December 2025.

In Baghty sub-division, three bridge works have already been completed, and two bridges are expected to be completed within a short span of time, the release stated.

However, the committee observed that the work progress of three projects undertaken by M/s JK Constructions and M/s Chabou & Co is far from satisfactory, with only about 15% of the work having been completed. The firms had signed a 12-month working contract with the concerned department, which will expire on December 18, 2025, it stated.

During the joint inspection, it was unanimously resolved that no Foothills Road construction within Wokha district would be allowed without the knowledge and consent of the NFHRCC.

The committee also resolved that the ongoing 2-lane Foothills Road will be first constructed under the SASCI Loan scheme and the competent authority has been urged to issue the second phase work order under SASCI in all the remaining sectors at the earliest.

In light of this, the committee has urged the NPWD (Road & Bridges) to immediately impress upon the “lacklustre contractor firms” to adhere to the contract agreement timeline and provide steel galvanised bridge materials to the contract firms, applying the same standards of inclusiveness and transparency to all sectors, at the earliest.

The committee requested the department to meticulously sort out the alignments as per the joint survey done along with the committee in 2013 at Serika-Khumjoyan sector; to resolve with the Department of Power in regard to the high voltage transmission tower structures along the foothills road between Pangtong- Merapani stretch in Baghty sub-division.  

The NFHRCC also asked the department to direct the contractor firm working on the Rengamapani-Hovekhu Road Junction (M/s T Albert Angami & Co) to rectify the damaged portions at several points within the completed works.

In addition, the committee asked the department to complete the DPR on Phase II as per the alignments resolved with the committee, the tribal hohos, and the affected landowners in all the remaining sectors, in order to continue with the Foothills Road construction activities without further delay.

The committee requested the department to meticulously sort out the alignments as per the 2013 joint survey conducted at the Serika-Khumjoyan sector. It also asked the department to resolve the issue with the Department of Power regarding high voltage transmission tower structures along the Pangtong-Merapani stretch of the foothills road in Baghty sub-division.

Further, the committee urged the NPWD (R&B) minister, along with the local MLA of 40 Bhandari A/C, to immediately undertake an inspection visit, particularly to Baghty sub-division. This is to reassure the public of transparency and workmanship, and to complete the ‘People’s Road’ on time, as per the DPR and work agreement signed between the contractor firms and the department.

Meanwhile, the committee welcomed the Western Chakhesang Public Organisation, making it the 14th Nagaland tribal body to join the NFHRCC fraternity.