The NFHRCC is constrained to strongly resent the remark “WE CAN NOT MAKE ROADS IN THE SKY” made by the Hon’ble chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio on the floor of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly yesterday.
The crux of the issue is, the 17 work orders were issued under SASCI to different firms in the month of December 2024 after signing contract agreement with the PWD (R & B). Out of which two Firms M/S JK Construction and M/S Chabou & Co were served with Show Cause Notice on 4th February 2026. Subsequently, on 7th February 2026 Hon’ble Minister Shri. Kaito Aye inspected the site of the two firms. Thereon, it was arrived by the Minister concerned that Show Cause Notice was issued in view of communication gap and in the light of which time was extended till 31st March 2026. In the meantime, it was brought to the notice of the public that JK Construction and Chabou & Co. were executing substandard works at Baghty Division.
Thus, in the given situation the concerned Minister is dead silent over and above the Concerned Hon’ble MLA on whose recommendations the contract works were allotted to M/S JK Construction and M/S Chabou & Co is zipped up his mouth which is very unreasonable and unjustified. In the given situation it is also expected from the Hon’ble Chief Minister to question the concerned department about the delay and sub-standards of the project which is very dear to him since 1993. Hon’ble Minister Shri Kaito Aye made it very clear and loud that he will resign in the event if the project didn’t work out. Therefore, it is high time for the Hon’ble Minister to speak to the Naga public. It was assured by the concerned Minister that FHR will be completed by 2027 under SASCI.
Therefore, in view of which the Naga Publics are urging upon the concerned department to issue the second phase work orders under SASCI which was fully assured by the concerned Minister. Regarding two lane construction all the landowners have willingly donated their land without penny of compensation from Khelma to Tizit around 395.9 Kms and if we calculate the same in the form of compensation it will come out few thousand crores which itself is historic as no landowners had ever donated free of cost of land to this magnitude since statehood.
It is also an admitted fact that on the said donated land two lane road construction is executing under SASCI and the first phase is nearing completion therefore Naga public are requesting the Govt of Nagaland to issue second phase under SASCI as assured by govt. However, instead of issuing second phase work orders under SASCI the govt. is talking about four lane construction which is not the present subject matter. But, the issue in hand is with regard to construction of two lane under SASCI which is ongoing and for that matter landowners are not asking any compensation they (Landowners) have given NOCs and the same is handed over to our Hon’ble CM Dr. Rio way back in 2018.
Therefore, there is no confusions with regard to issuance of second phase work orders under SASCI which is ongoing and in the light of which the govt should not points the finger to landowners saying that they had ask for compensations, rather the govt and the entire Naga publics should be very grateful to all the landowners for giving free land for construction of two-lane FHR.
The Committee would like to share the following facts and figures once again on the genealogy of the Nagaland Foothills Road Project for the public to digest in detail.
- First attempt:
It was said to have been attempted in 1974-75, proposed by the then Cabinet Minister late Shri Mhondamo Kithan (40 Bhandari A/C) under the leadership of late Shri Vizol Angami CM and Dr.SC Jamir as the Dy. CM and later during his short stint as the CM. Result : Mission abandoned. - Second attempt:
In 1993 while Dr. N.Rio was the Minister in-charge for NPWD, Road & Bridges under the CM ship of Dr.SC Jamir reportedly attempted by the GoN. Result – Abandoned due to reportedly strong opposition from the neighbouring State.
Therefore, on both occasions initiated by the Government were set aside and abandoned. Whatever the reasons may be the setback, still we must thank the State Government. - The 3rd attempt. –
In 2013 – Due to pressing need and genuine desires to have a dignified Road within our own state, the real Concept of the foothills road linking between Tizit to Dimapur was reignited and this time it was initiated by CSO under the aegis of Nagaland Foothills Road coordination committee (NFHRCC) Spearheaded by Ao Senden then backed by the CNTC, later it was migrated to the 10 Naga Tribal Apex HOHOs. The Govt of Nagaland under the leadership of Dr. N. Rio, CM,GoN, the PWD, R&B, and the NFHRCC painstakingly executed the alignment of the NFHR project which is also recognized as Naga Historic Survival Road.
Why is the foothills Road called an extra-ordinary Project?
a. Because, it is the unison voice of 10 Naga Tribes to bail out the Nagas from the yoke of humiliation and unreasonable harassment due to the lack of dignified road connectivity within our own state.
b. A vision to improvise the socio-economic welfare of the people living in the foothills on the border area of Nagaland where for decades, the poor farmers were depriving of their livelihood owing to the lack of proper road connectivity and market linkages within the state of Nagaland.
c. Landowners parted their lands without even a penny of compensation;
d. Non state actors fully agreed upon to exempt taxes, popular Govt. agreed to put extraordinary efforts to meet the aspiration of the people. Therefore, the Foothills Road is also called an extraordinary Project.
e. The Nature of the Foothills Road project was being an extra Ordinary, the Govt. of Nagaland had fully endorsed the Department of Public Works,R&B and the NFHRCC for a Joint Survey of alignments had fully authorized the committee to select contractors and green signal was given to build the road on credit till; the time the Government could mobilize the requisite funds.
Thereby, On June 13,2013, marathon meeting was convened comprising of tribes, Ao, Lotha, Sema, Konyak, Phom, Rengma, Chang,Yimkhiung, Sangtam and Khiamniungan in the said meeting, the following resolutions were adopted among others namely,
(i). The FHR should be constructed within the definition of Foothill Road. It is also resolved to pray before the landowners not to take land compensation for the proposed FHR constructions.
(ii). To appeal before the freedom fighters to be exempt from taxation the proposed Foothills constructions.
(iii). Not to politicize the Nagaland Foothills Road project in any manner whatsoever.
(iv). On July 17, 2013, the NFHRCC members met the then Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland Dr. N. Rio, thereon, the Hon’ble CM fully assured that his Govt,will take up the project on priority and further assured to the committee members not to worry for the fund as the Govt.is well prepared to take care of the financial matter.
(v) On July 23, 2013, a meeting was held with all the Hon’ble border MLAs at Saramati Hotel, proposed Foothills Road project will not be politicized in any forms.
(vi). On August 14, 2013. Prayer and Fasting was organized to invoke the Almighty’s God blessings. Then on September 24, 2013, the first survey was conducted by the NFHRCC with acute hardship and difficulties.
(vii). Accordingly, on December 21, 2013, the historic construction was 1st launched at Longtho sector and then subsequently on December 27th 2013 at Merapani then followed by Changpang II (ONGC), Baghty Division.
Being an extra ordinary by concept, ABAM ( AO BAPTIST AROGO MONDANG) had mobilized through its congregations an amount of Rs 36,56,282/-(in words Rupees thirty six lakhs fifty six thousand two hundred eighty two only) to the NFHRCC, but the committee being a coordinating body but not a construction team by nature had let ABAM handed over the donated funds by Cheque to the Hon’ble CM in his Office Chamber in person on June 26th 2019 by the Executive Secretary, ABAM accompanied by representatives of the NFHRCC.
The Foothills Road Project being a concerted effort by nature, the Committee had also written a letter of request to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi on October 19th 2019 through the kind Office of the Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland Shri RN Ravi for up gradation of the Trans Nagaland Expressway (Foothills Road) to that of National Highway Status.
The NOC obtained through the Apex Tribal Hohos was handed over to the Hon’ble CM Shri N. Rio on his request in 2018 to enable the CE Testing Company Pvt. Ltd, Kolkata, chartered by the MoRTH for detail Scaled survey of the Trans Nagaland Expressway (Foothills Road).
The then CM of Nagaland was kind enough to arrange a centrally assisted fund under SPA in 2013 for about 70 crores. Then, the Hon’ble CM relinquished his post and went to New Delhi as an MP (Lok Sabha). Aftermath, the NDA Govt. abolished the Planning commission and subsequently NITI AYOG came into being. SPA funding system too was also abolished in the country thus all funding under SPA stops including the Foothills roads, yet the crusade of the Foothills Road continues unabated by the NFHRCC; the Doyang Bridge at Governor’s Camp was paused for a while during 2014-2018 due to certain reasons including demonetization under NDA regime as well as the ULB movement (JCC) in 2016-17 etc. During 2013-18 saw several CM changes in the State like the musical chair. Yet, the NFHRCC never gives up the issues of the Foothills Road.
In 2018 Shri N. Rio returned back to the state as the Hon’ble CM. He was also one of the instrumental to rechristen the FHR into Trans Nagaland Expressway which will also connect Khelma in Peren District covering a distance of over 395 kms.
His Govt. had also reached out to MORTH, New Delhi, in response MORTH had deputed an independent firm, the CE Testing & Infra Co.Ltd for a complete & comprehensive Survey on the Foothills Road where the NFHRCC had fully cooperated with CE Testing & Co with full knowledge of the Govt.
On the strength of it, the state Govt. had even submitted a DPR costing a considerable amount to MORTH, GOI for possible funding and up gradation to NH status. All these years of FHR journey, the concerned Department and the NFHRCC had been undoubtedly closely working hard in a concerted manner.
In 2018-19 and 2024-25 respectively, the NFHRCC family rose to 14 Tribal HOHOs initiatives with Kuki INPI, Nagaland, NZPO, Tikhir Union and the Western Chakhesang HOHO joined the Foothills Road Mission crusaders.
In 2021, due to mounding public pressures, the NFHRCC had literally compelled/ forced the State Govt. to inject INR 30 crore to keep the Foothills roads project alive in making it jeep able road at least during dry season in 2021-22 while waiting for the Mega project to be approved by New Delhi.
Subsequently, the twice abandoned longest Bridge in Nagaland, measuring 442.25 ft span in length over River Doyang, Governors’ camp Liphanyan, Baghty Division was inaugurated online by the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah at Niathu Resort on January 6th 2023 and a dedicatory program was subsequently performed by the NFHRCC on January 29th 2023.
After lots of cohesive effort done, in 2023-24, the NFHRCC had also met the Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland Shri La. Ganesan and apprised him of the NLA Resolution adopted in September 22, 2022 to construct the Foothills Road under NEC funding for his possible intervention, following it, the Committee had also met the Hon’ble Union Minister of DONER Shri G.Kishan Reddy at New Delhi in December 20th 2023.Over and above ,the Govt. of Nagaland also made an effort, consequent upon which the project was roped in under SASCI Scheme soft loan in the 1st Phase amounting to Rs. 148.5 crore in 2023-24 fiscal year.
The Paradox of the current controversial issue of some Contractor Firms power backed by a few Legislatures, and lacklustre performance was a sheer violation of 2013 agreements / understanding between the State Govt. and the Department concerned and the committee.
Further, the NFHRCC wholeheartedly resolved to continue to welcome any Apex Nagaland Tribal Hohos those who are yet to affiliate in the Committee on the basis of inclusive Nagaland Peoples’ Road Project.
Any changes in the original alignments unequivocally adopted in 2013 except in some inevitable and justifiable circumstances shall not be allowed in whatsoever cases it may be.
The sole mission and vision of the NFHRCC is loud and clear that to provide a dignified connectivity road to the people of Nagaland which had been eluding us even after 6 decades of Statehood, strengthening the hands of the concerned Department on transparency, fair, inclusive and judicious distribution of funds, quality assurance of workmanship and to protect the sanctity of the contractor firms from unwanted harassment of unabated taxation from various quarters.
What had really transpired was the issue of unjustified debate triggered off late on the Foothills Road project arbitrarily by few vested interested people was unfortunate and self-explanatory which is extremely distasteful for a just Society.
Let every intellectual Nagas of all walks of life, social strata review, analyse and decide on the self-induced contentious issue pertaining to the core foothills road project and lend a befitting support to the noble cause, at least for the sake of our younger generations to come.
Issued by:
Media Cell, NFHRCC