PWD (R&B) minister G Kaito Aye has described the Foothill Road as a “transformative project” for Nagaland’s connectivity and economic growth and urged all stakeholders to maintain high standards and expedite work.
In a press release, office of the chief engineer PWD ((R&B) informed that the minister made this remark after undertaking a comprehensive two-day inspection tour of the ongoing Nagaland Foothill Road project on April 15 and 16, 2025.
Kaito made it clear that quality should not be compromised and directed the contractors and divisions to adhere to specifications and ensure timely completion for the benefit of people.
On the first day of inspection, the minister covered Tuli, Longleng and Naginimora sections.
The minister, who was accompanied by chief engineer, additional chief engineer, superintending engineers, executive engineers, and technical officers of PWD (R&B), assessed the progress across multiple divisions and issued directives to ensure timely and quality execution.
In Tuli section, the team instructed re-grading of road alignment at several locations in the greenfield length of 8.5 kms. Strict instructions were also issued to avoid stone dust in all constructions. After observing that there were two swampy stretches, the minister directed the submission of diversion proposals for approval.
Overall, the Tuli section was noted to need significant improvement in execution quality and compliance with standards. In Longleng section, the department said progress was found to be sluggish. It said contractors were instructed to accelerate work and deploy additional machinery, including motor graders and compactors, to meet deadlines.
In Mon and Naginimora section, concerned divisions were directed to submit a detailed action plan to ensure the Tizit-Tuli stretch becomes motorable by May 2025 and all sanctioned bridges to be completed by December 2025.
On day two (April 16, 2025), the minister inspected Dimapur & Baghty Divisions (Niuland to Merapani & Road to Rengmapani). Minister and his team of officials were joined by Achumbemo Kikon, MLA. The team reviewed progress along Niuland-Merapani stretch and Nuiland-Rengmapani road. Ongoing works at this stretch was found to be satisfactory, the department stated.
The team instructed all contractors to cut hill slopes with proper angle of repose to ensure stability of cut slopes. The team also banned use of inferior materials not meeting laid down specifications such as stone dust in CRSM or RCC works and river gravel in GSB layers.
Instruction was also given for mandatory use of motor graders and soil compactor/vibratory rollers sub grade and stone metaling layers.
The department said the two-day inspection underscored the state government’s commitment to robust infrastructure development, with close monitoring to address bottlenecks and enforce accountability.