Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) marked a significant milestone by initiating the first phase of the two-lane Foothills Road project in Peren district on December 30, launching the 48-meter (100-foot) span galvanized double-lane modular steel bridge over the Diunaki River.
In a simple prayer ceremony held at the bridge site, leaders from Zeliang and Kuki civil society organizations (CSOs), eight village chairmen from neighboring areas, representatives from the district administration, and PWD Peren Division attended the launching programme.
Speaking on behalf of NFHRCC, assistant general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe emphasized how the iconic foothills road project was conceptualized in 2013 connecting Tizit to Khelma over a stretch of 395 km, with endorsements from 10 apex Naga tribal hohos, and later backed by Zeliang and Kuki hohos.
To date, NFHRCC said that the state government has invested approximately Rs. 100 crore in the project, which includes completing the state’s longest bridge over Doyang river, Governor’s camp, Liphanyan Baghty division of Wokha district and establishing a fair weather single-lane road from Tizit to Niuland.
The committee said that after 12 years of relentless lobbying and plea seeking funding, the state government secured a soft loan amounting to Rs. 148.5 crore under SASCI program (Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment) to fund the first phase of the project.
NFHRCC, therefore, expressed gratitude to the state government for including the bridge project in Peren district in the first phase.
NFHRCC noted that the Foothills Road project is an “extraordinary project” as the public unanimously pledged to provide land without seeking compensation, prohibited taxation on contractors, and ensured no unauthorized deductions from government funds, except statutory fees.
Meanwhile, the committee urged some contractors yet to sign the implementing agreements to complete the process and commence work at their designated sites without further delay. This was stated in a press note issued by NFHRCC convenor Supu Jamir, co-convenor Hokiye Yepthomi, general secretary W. Lemba Chang and asst. general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe.