NFHRCC demands recognition and inclusion in project implementation

The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has expressed serious concern over what it termed the sidelining of the Committee in key decision-making processes concerning the historic Foothills Road Project, despite its foundational role in conceptualizing and spearheading the initiative since 2013.
In a press release, NFHRCC recalled its journey and contributions to the project, which began with an assurance from the then chief minister Neiphiu Rio on July 17, 2013. Following the assurance, a joint survey was initiated on September 24, 2013, and the project was officially launched on December 21, 2013, at Longtho under Mangkolemba Division. NFHRCC recounted handing over the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the chief minister in 2018, in alignment with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ (MoRTH) slogan, “Give us land and we will give you Road.” The
Subsequently, the committee said it had also appealed to the Prime Minister through Nagaland Governor in October 2019 to expedite the “extraordinary project” aimed at boosting the Naga economy.
In 2023, NFHRCC said they met the union minister of DoNER through the facilitation of the Nagaland Governor, further demonstrating its sustained engagement with stakeholders over the last 12 years in coordination with the PWD (R&B).
However, NFHRCC alleged that following the approval of Rs. 148.5 crore as soft loan under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, the department’s attitude drastically shifted, reducing the Committee to what was termed a mere “pressure group.”
NFHRCC asserted its role in securing land without compensation, convincing landowners, obtaining NOCs, and negotiating with Naga political groups to exempt the project from any form of taxation.
Highlighting their sacrifices, the Committee reminded that on June 30, 2014, a Dimapur bandh organized by NFHRCC against unfair practices led to serious injuries to nine volunteers and detention of 16 others. It said that the committee and the Nagaland Contractors & Supplier’s Union and come to an understanding for the smooth sailing of the historic project.
Over the past 13 years, the Committee said it has lost seven of its members who had contributed significantly to the project– Yashitsungba Aier (Treasurer), Dr. P.S. Lorin (Asst. GS) executive members– Victor, Lemba Chang, Hothongse Sangtam, Dr. Asappe Kauring, and N.N. Ngullie (IPS Retd.).
Further, NFHRCC also expressed anguish over being excluded from a major consultative meeting scheduled for April 30, 2025, in Kohima, which was set to deliberate on the Foothills Road as its first agenda. Despite NFHRCC shouldering the responsibility with tears and sweat, it said only the 60 MLAs, 2 MPs, and all apex tribal and women hohos were invited. The Committee noted that it was only after timely intervention by some organizations that the meeting was postponed.
Adding to its grievances, the Committee stated that the Chief Engineer of PWD (R&B) issued an office order dated May 28, 2025, directing a fresh survey for demarcating a 30-meter Right of Way (RoW) and boundary pillar positioning from June 2 onwards — without informing NFHRCC. The Committee termed this a serious breach of mutual trust and a disregard for its historical contributions.
Therefore, NFHRCC appealed to chief minister Dr. Rio, to “advise and educate the department” on the essence and vision of the project– a vision the Committee said Dr. Rio has long championed, even during his tenure as PWD minister in 1993. They described the chief minister as the “dictionary of the Foothills Road,” stating that any deviation from the original vision should be corrected like a misprint in a reference text.
Reiterating its stand, NFHRCC asserted that “there will be no Foothills Road alignment or realignment or expansion or contraction without consultation with NFHRCC.”
It, therefore, said that the May 28 order issued by the chief engineer (R&B) cannot be initiated unless the chief minister clarifies on the matter as to why the committee was asked to hand over the NOCs to him in 2018.
“Governments will come and go, leadership will come and go, but history will remain,” the release stated, urging all stakeholders to uphold mutual trust and respect. NFHRCC also called for renewed dialogue to accomplish the historic project.