Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee flags slow progress, seeks action on Foothills Road works

Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has expressed serious concern over the slow progress of works at several project sites, following joint inspection visits across Baghty and Dimapur divisions.
Among other issues, the committee has also placed several demands before PWD (Roads & Bridges) to ensure timely and quality completion of the People’s Road.
According to NFHRCC, a joint inspection of eight allocated worksites- comprising five double-lane galvanised steel bridges and three land-upgradation projects- was conducted under Baghty division on November 15, 2025.
The inspection team consisted of representatives from 13 tribes, the apex Lotha Hoho, its subordinate bodies LLRPO and YAPO, contractor firms of seven allotted projects, the Aggrieved Foothills Forum (Bhandari and Changpang area), and departmental representatives. NFHRCC stated that one bridge contractor firm, M/s REN KIK E.Z.J & Co, failed to attend the inspection as expected.
It said that a subsequent inspection was carried out on November 22, at the Niuland-Hovekhu stretch under Dimapur division, linking Old Ralan area of Baghty division. NFHRCC informed that the workmanship of M/s N. Chiso & Sons, including the galvanised double-lane steel bridge over River Dadi, was found to be progressing well and expected to be completed within the stipulated period up to December 2025.
Under Baghty division, NFHRCC stated that three bridge works have been completed, while two more bridges were expected to be completed shortly. However, it observed that the progress of the three project works under M/s JK Constructions and M/s Chabou & Co remained far from satisfactory, with only about 15% of work completed. The firms had signed a 12-month agreement with the concerned department, which ends on December 18, 2025, it said.
As per the DPR, NFHRCC noted that none of the 156 Hume pipe culverts, five major slab culverts, or retaining and protection walls had been completed at the time of inspection.
During the inspection, the committee unanimously adopted two resolutions- i. No Foothills Road construction within Lotha jurisdiction of Wokha district shall take place without the knowledge and consent of NFHRCC and ii. The ongoing two-lane Foothills Road shall first be constructed under the SASCI loan scheme, and the competent authority was urged to issue the Phase-II work order under SASCI for all remaining sectors at the earliest.
Further, NFHRCC urged PWD (Roads & Bridges) to immediately impress upon lacklustre contractor firms to fulfil the work agreement within the stipulated timeline.
It also called upon the department to ensure timely supply of steel galvanised bridge materials to all contractors, applying the same standard of transparency and inclusiveness across sectors.
NFHRCC further reminded the department to sort out alignment issues as per the joint survey conducted in 2013 at the Serika-Khumjoyan sector along with the Forest and Environment Department. It asked the department to coordinate with the Power department to resolve concerns related to high-voltage transmission tower structures along the Pangtong-Merapani stretch under Baghty division.
The committee also sought intervention to direct the contractor firm responsible for the Rengamapani-Hovekhu junction connectivity– M/S T. Albert Angami & Co. to rectify damaged portions observed in the completed stretches.
It further pressed for early completion of the DPR for Phase-II as per alignments earlier agreed upon with the Committee, tribal hohos, and affected landowners, so that Foothills Road construction can proceed without further delay.
The committee also urged the PWD (R&B) minister and the local MLA of 40 Bhandari A/C to undertake an immediate inspection of Baghty division sectors to reassure public confidence in transparency and workmanship, and to ensure timely completion of the “People’s Road” as per the DPR and work agreements.
NFHRCC further welcomed the Western Chakhesang Public Organisation, making it the 14th tribal body to join the NFHRCC fraternity in its collective mission to fulfil the aspiration for a dignified People’s Road.