PWD (R&B) clarifies on NFHRCC claims

Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) has issued a detailed clarification in response to claims made by Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) regarding various aspects of the Foothill Road project.
On NFHRCC’s warning to lock PWD (R&B) Dimapur division office from April 15 if phase-II work orders were not issued, the department stated that work orders could only be issued after obtaining proper approval from the State government. It clarified that no such approval had been accorded so far for further works on the Foothill Road and assured that the department would act as soon as the required approval was received.
Regarding NFHRCC’s claim that landowners had already provided No-Objection Certificates (NOCs), the department acknowledged that NOCs had indeed been issued by stakeholders. However, it pointed out that the NOCs covered only 10 to 12 metres of land. The department explained that the requirement for development of a standard two-lane road, including carriageway, shoulders, utility corridors and other essential components, would ordinarily require a wider Right of Way (RoW) for safe and proper road construction.
It further stated that during the meeting held on April 7, taking into account practical difficulties on the ground, local issues and concerns expressed by landowners and affected villages, the matter was deliberated in a consultative manner. In view of these factors, the proposal presently under consideration was to provide 15-metre RoW free of cost. The department said that once consensus was reached among stakeholders in the State, the matter would be taken up with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Responding to allegations of sub-standard work by contractors in Baghty division, the department clarified that cracks observed in the headwall of a Hume pipe culvert were caused by movement of overloaded private mining vehicles before the structure had completed its required curing period. It stated that the Foothill Road in Baghty division passed through areas with active mining and heavy vehicle movement along the Doyang river banks, and since such activities were linked to local livelihoods, it was not feasible to completely restrict such movement. However, the department informed that the affected portions had already been rectified.
On the claim that administrative approval of Rs 400 crore had been sanctioned in 2024 for the second phase of the project, the department stated that it was not aware of any such approval having been accorded by the government.
Addressing the allegation that the government was diverting attention towards upgrading the Foothill Road to four-lane before completion of the two-lane project, the department stated that the Foothill Road was one of the most important infrastructural projects in the State. However, considering the magnitude of the project and limited State resources, efforts were being made to explore funding support from the Centre for its long-term development.
In this regard, the department stated that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through a communication dated May 26, 2025, had indicated certain conditions for considering the corridor for future development, including requirement of 30-metre RoW free of cost and obtaining forest and environmental clearances. It reiterated that, as per technical norms, a wider RoW was generally required not only for the carriageway but also for shoulders, drainage systems, utility corridors and other infrastructure components. However, following deliberations during the April 7 meeting and considering ground realities and stakeholder concerns, the department said a balanced and practical approach was being pursued with a 15-metre RoW proposal under consideration.
On NFHRCC’s claim regarding deficiencies in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), particularly shortage of Hume pipe culverts and slab culverts, the department stated that DPRs were prepared based on site conditions assessed during the survey stage. It added that if any gaps or deficiencies were identified during execution, the department would examine them and take necessary technical measures to address the issues.
Regarding extension of time granted to contractors M/S JK Construction and M/S Chabou & Co, the department stated that extensions were approved only after receiving formal applications and after careful review of the reasons for delay. It said that factors such as heavy vehicle movement and the need to repair damaged structures had affected progress in Baghty Division, and taking these into account, extension up to April 30, 2026 was granted after due consideration.
Clarifying NFHRCC’s reference to the statement made by the minister, PWD (R&B), the department stated that the assurance should be understood in its proper context. It explained that the minister’s statement pertained specifically to completion of works under the currently sanctioned amount of Rs 148.50 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), and not the entire Foothill Road project.
On the allegation that the department was uncomfortable involving NFHRCC due to its appeal against non-statutory deductions, the department clarified that apart from statutory deductions, no other deductions were being made from any works by the department.
The department maintained that it remained committed to carrying forward the Foothill Road project in a transparent and technically sound manner, while taking into account ground realities and concerns of all stakeholders.