Our Reporter
Dimapur, Sep. 11 (EMN): The Nagaland Foothill Road Co-ordination Committee (NFHRCC) has temporarily suspended its proposed agitation over the foothill road after the government of Nagaland responded positively to its demand.
The NFHRCC and civil society organisations had earlier announced first phase of agitation from September 13 by shutting down the office of PWD (R&B) Dimapur division and restrict movement of all government vehicles in Dimapur if the government fails to respond to their plea of ‘making the foothill road pliable while awaiting the mega project’.
The assistant general secretary of NFHRCC, Chenithung Humtsoe, told Eastern Mirror that the committee has decided to put its ultimatum and proposed agitation in animated suspension as the government has decided to repair the foothill road.
He said that they appreciate the state government for taking up the issue seriously.
To discuss the animated suspension and follow up action, he said that the NFHRCC has convened a consultative meeting with various civil society organisations on Sunday in Dimapur.
It may be mentioned that the department of Works and Housing on Friday issued a statement after Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio convened a meeting with the deputy CM and department officials that it had been directed to start working on making the foothill road motorable while awaiting the approval of the proposal for declaration as a National Highway or under the Bharatmala Pariyojna.
It also informed that ‘administrative approval for an amount of INR 20 crore had been accorded for taking up emergency works of the said road and INR 10 crore earmarked for the completion of Doyang Bridge during the current financial year’.
RPP lauds NFHRCC
Meanwhile, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) lauded the NFHRCC for pressuring the state government to the repair the foothill road by serving an ultimatum.
While welcoming the allocation of fund for repairing the said road, it said the government shouldn’t always give fund shortage excuse. It said that GST, which has increased state’s revenue, could be used to complete the project instead of seeking Centre’s help all the time.
It also expressed doubt if the central government will finance the foothill road project after NITI Ayog’s negative report about the state.
The party also informed that its crowdfunding campaign will continue and the collected amount will be handed over to the appropriate authority.