NFHRCC questions quality, delay in Baghty road works

Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has expressed deep concern over the quality of workmanship in the ongoing Foothills Road construction under Baghty Division, Wokha district.
In a statement, the committee said that despite repeated appeals from various quarters for timely completion and adherence to quality standards, the contractor firms have allegedly ignored public concerns. It stated that progress in several sectors remains far behind the stipulated timeline and described the workmanship as “awfully dismaying.” NFHRCC pointed out that some hume pipe culverts have reportedly developed cracks within a month of completion.
NFHRCC said it was high time that the contractor firms and the departmental technical teams took the matter seriously.
Terming the Foothills Road an “extraordinary people’s project,” NFHRCC noted that landowners had parted with their land without compensation despite financial constraints.
It also stated that NNPGs refrained from levying taxes on the project despite resource hardships.
However, it alleged that despite adequate funds being sanctioned, the two contractor firms failed to maintain quality workmanship and complete the project within the prescribed timeframe.
NFHRCC further stated that the concerned department had issued a show cause notice on February 4, 2026, asking the firms to explain within seven days why the projects were not completed on time and why quality standards were not maintained.
It also referred to a site inspection conducted on February 7, 2026, by PWD (R&B) minister, G Kaito Aye, during which the minister reportedly termed the issuance of the show cause notice as arising from a communication gap. However, the committee maintained that the present condition of the works indicates substandard execution and that the notice should be enforced with necessary action taken against the firms.
NFHRCC also urged the minister to uphold his public assurance that he would resign on moral grounds if the project failed to meet specifications.
Appealing to the contractors, the committee called upon the firms to execute the project with sincerity and responsibility so as not to place the minister in an embarrassing position.
NFHRCC further appealed to chief minister to impress upon NPWD (R&B) to ensure strict quality control and timely completion of the project within the extended period granted to the contractor firms.