Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee flags slow progress of Foothills Road in Baghty division

The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has expressed serious concern over the slow progress of Foothills Road construction under Baghty division, following a joint inspection of nine work sites on November 15.
The inspection was carried out along with representatives of Lotha Hoho, Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO), Yanmhon Area Public Organisation (YAPO), contractors, and officials of the concerned department.
NFHRCC convenor Supu Jamir, while acknowledging that the project could still meet the December 18, 2025 completion target with improved coordination between the department and contractors, cautioned that the current pace of work was slow. He observed that if the present rate continued, the project may not be completed even next year.
While the committee expressed satisfaction with the ongoing construction of five bridges, it assessed the earthworks under three work orders as slow and not meeting expected standards.
A major issue raised during the inspection was the confusion over the road alignment. NFHRCC reminded that the alignment had been jointly surveyed with the concerned department in 2013, and reiterated that no diversion should be made from the original alignment.
The committee noted that the department itself appeared uncertain in some stretches of the alignment and requested the LLRPO president to formally communicate the matter so it could be addressed without further delay.
Lotha Hoho secretary, Limhathung Odyuo, expressed disappointment over the “poor pace of progress”, stating that contractors had already received partial payments despite incomplete work.
He stressed the need for proper coordination between the department and contractors, and insisted that the approved alignment must be strictly adhered to in the interest of the wider Naga community.
LLRPO president, Amos Kikon, echoed these concerns, stating that the pace of work was “too slow” and reaffirmed that the pressure groups would continue to stand firm on quality and timeline. He said the committee would prioritise the two-lane section, adding that the road must be made motorable by December and that no substandard workmanship would be tolerated.
YAPO president extended full support to the committee and urged it to intensify pressure to ensure that the long-awaited Foothills Road dream becomes a reality.
Following the field inspection, NFHRCC convened a brief review meeting during which two resolutions were unanimously adopted by Lotha Hoho, LLRPO and YAPO.
The first resolution reaffirmed the collective decision to prioritise the materialisation of the two-lane construction. The second resolution stated that, in accordance with the Ao Senden’s earlier decision, no Foothills Road-related activities within Wokha district shall proceed without the approval and involvement of NFHRCC.