The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee has flagged substandard work and delays on the Foothills Road at Baghty in Wokha district, seeking action against erring firms.
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DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has expressed concern over what it termed poor workmanship and prolonged delays in the ongoing Foothills Road construction at Baghty division in Wokha district.
In a press release, the committee stated that despite repeated appeals for timely completion and strict adherence to quality standards, the contractor firms have ignored public concerns.
Work progress, it claimed, is far behind schedule, while the quality of execution is “deeply dismaying,” citing instances of Hume pipe culverts developing cracks within a month of completion.
Also read: Foothills Road: 13 Naga tribes set March 31 ultimatum
The NFHRCC underscored that the Foothills Road is a “people’s project,” pointing out that landowners parted with land without compensation and that Naga national political groups refrained from levying taxes despite “acute financial/resources hardships.”
In contrast, it alleged, adequate funds were sanctioned for the project, yet M/s JK Constructions and M/s Chabou & Co failed to maintain workmanship or complete the work within the stipulated timeframe.
Subsequently, on February 7, Minister for PWD (R&B) Kaito Aye personally inspected the site and reportedly termed the issuance of the notices a result of a communication gap.
However, the NFHRCC maintained that the substandard work on the ground contradicts that explanation and called for the February 4 show-cause notices to be enforced, with appropriate action taken against the erring firms.
The committee further urged the minister to honour his public assurance that he would take moral responsibility if the project failed to meet specifications.
Appealing to the contractors to execute the “historic project” conscientiously, the NFHRCC also called upon Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to impress upon the NPWD (R&B) to ensure quality assurance and timely completion of the works within the extended period granted.