Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has once again urged PWD (R&B) to impress upon all contractors executing the 17 work orders under the Foothills Road Project to expedite construction and ensure completion within the stipulated 12-month period ending December 18, 2025. The committee reminded that a similar appeal was also issued to the contractors in April 2025.
In a press note, NFHRCC further appealed to the state government to release funds proportionate to the percentage of work completed “without bias or prejudice” and to instruct the contractors to strictly adhere to the project timeline.
Citing official records from PWD (R&B), the committee listed the firms that have so far received bill payments as of September 8, 2025, under the ongoing Foothills Road Project.
(List on p-8)
The committee cautioned that with the dry working season now setting in, complacency in this people’s project cannot be taken for granted. It also reminded the concerned department to begin projecting the second phase of the SASCI loan grant DPR for remaining divisions, particularly in the Merapani/Changpang sector of Baghty division, Jangpetkong area of Mangkolemba division, and the entire Peren division.
On the issue of 30-metre Right of Way (ROW) required by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NFHRCC informed that its officials had met the secretary, MoRTH, at Delhi on August 21, 2025, followed by meetings with the chief secretary and the deputy chief minister (Planning & Transformation, National Highways) to ensure better coordination and implementation of the project.
Further, the committee urged the state government to strongly pursue with the Ministry the proposal to link Nagaland Express Highway (Foothills Road) with the Arunachal Frontier Highway in the east, and from Khelma to the existing NH-137 in Dima Hasao (Assam) and Tamenglong (Manipur).
NFHRCC also lamented that despite repeated requests for an appointment to clarify issues concerning the Foothills Road Project, the Chief Minister had been unable to meet the committee, possibly due to other engagements. It expressed hope that an early appointment would be granted for further discussion on the matter.
