Says FHR project estimated at around Rs 9,000 crore
Nagaland’s Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, S Supongmeren Jamir, has raised a significant issue under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha, calling upon the Centre to accord urgent approval and prioritize construction of proposed foothills road (Trans-Nagaland Highway).
In his submission, Jamir highlighted that the approximately 395-km-long Foothills Road would traverse along the foothills bordering Assam, substantially reducing travel time between various districts of Nagaland. He said the highway was designed to allow seamless intra-state connectivity without the need to repeatedly cross interstate boundaries, thereby greatly enhancing administrative accessibility and convenience for citizens.
Once operational, MP said the road was projected to directly serve 103 towns and villages, bringing direct benefits to over 11 lakh people across the state. He said the road would also establish vital linkages between interior districts and existing National Highways and state roads, unlocking new opportunities for economic growth, trade, commerce, and overall development.
MP pointed out that the proposed alignment of the foothills road passed through the districts of Peren, Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Niuland, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, and Mon- regions rich in natural and mineral resources but have long faced connectivity challenges.
He informed the House that detailed project reports (DPRs) for phase-I (Packages I to VI), covering a stretch of 180.656 km from Dimapur to Tuli at an estimated cost of Rs.3,284.06 crore, have already been submitted to the Minister for Road Transport and Highways for consideration and approval as a National Highway.
MP said the total estimated cost for the entire Foothills Road project stood at around Rs.9,000 crore. Therefore, MP urged the Centre to give serious consideration to this vital infrastructure project and expedite its approval in the larger interest of the people of Nagaland and overall development of the region. Stating that Foothills Road has long been a dream project for the people of Nagaland, MP said the successful implementation of the project would mark a major step toward strengthening connectivity, economic progress, and regional integration in the state.