MLA and Chairman SDPDB Bhandari, Achumbemo Kikon has reiterated his call for maintaining quality standards while expediting work on the Foothill Road project, including the construction of five steel bridges, stressing that the project must meet its completion deadline of March 31, 2026.

He made the statement during the SDPDB meeting held at the Summer House-Cum-Guest House conference hall in Bhandari on February 13, where officials, contractors, public organizations and community leaders reviewed the progress of the 39-kilometre road stretch under the sub-division.

Kikon urged construction agencies, contractors,  government departments, organizations and residents of Yanmhon, Champang and adjoining areas to collectively support the project, stating that timely completion of the Foothill Road would significantly improve connectivity and economic opportunities in the region.

Representative from M/S Chabou & Co., Renbemo Murry, Proprietor, Ms JK Construction, who also represented stated that the construction firms are committed to complete the Foothill Road Construction by March 31,2026.

Elaborating on work progress in different stages of times, he said that in the past year, work was delayed by 4 months due to some pending issues but were able to mobilize and deploy adequate manpower and machinery to resume and execute work.

He added that heavy and late withdrawal of monsoon rain also hindered work which encompassed huge quantities of earthwork, but were now in completion process including CD works and protection works.

He also highlighted that more numbers of manpower and machinery are presently pressed to work for completion for both the packages on timeline as per design, drawings and sections to the satisfaction of the department and in the interest of the general public.

Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B), Er Kuhovi Sema, reported that construction of the five bridges is progressing satisfactorily and is expected to be completed as scheduled. However, representative of the bridge construction firms, Dr Yanthungrhomo Mozhui raised concerns regarding wing wall for the bridges and emphasized the need for maintenance of proper drainage systems to prevent water logging or untimely destruction of the bridges.

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During the meeting, President of the Lotha Lower Range Public Organization (LLRPO), T Amos Kikon highlighted the PMGSY Sungkha Road project, which connects six villages, namely Roni Old, Mongphio, Lishuyo, Sungkha, Lio Wokha and Hayiyan,  to the rest of the sub-division.

While appreciating MLA and Chairman, SDPDB Bhandari, Achumbemo Kikon’s efforts in bringing development initiatives to 40 Bhandari Assembly Constituency, he stressed that project execution should be entrusted to agencies committed to genuine public welfare.

The meeting also deliberated on adopting a Jatropha curcas plantation project in the Bhandari region.

Weighing on the importance of the project as a viable, long-term agricultural solution, when times are shifting from roadside and weekly markets towards agricultural  enterprise and large scale business, MLA and Chairman SDPDB, Bhandari, Achumbemo Kikon said that implementation of a well guided project will create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers and transform the economic landscape of the region.

Speaking on application of “Right Crop and Right Technology”,  Pemma Dorji, Managing Director, Terratroth Innovations, Sikkim, said that Jatropha curcas plant is primarily cultivated for bio-fuel, bio-oil, and industrial raw materials and it is an alternative cash crop for farmers.

The plant generally maintains balanced climatic environment by retaining ground water and preventing soil erosion, he said adding that the plants acts as natural barrier and deterrence against crop-raiding livestock’s and will also contribute in reducing Human-Elephant conflict because  Jatropha carcass is toxic for elephants.

Speaking on farmer- friendly and proactive role, he emphasized that the company will be in strategic partnership to help, assist and build a strong and sustainable socio-economic status of the people.

He further emphasized that the company will require around 5000 hectares of land to execute the project in its first phase manner.

The house resolved to sensitize the village councils, landowners and farmers on the benefit of the project and to encourage the community to dedicate suitable land and sufficient labour towards cultivation of the crop.

In the meeting, connection and proper maintenance of electricity to 6 villages namely; Mmhayan, Chanka, Yankhum, Old Wozhu, New Wozhu and Litsuyan was discussed.

The 6 villages in a memorandum stated that currently they were provided electricity connection from Mokokchung district, they however, seek to be brought under Wokha district for better connectivity and maintenance.

Er. Mhaden Murry JE, Power Bhandari also informed the house that three distribution transformers have been installed in the sub-division to upscale supply of power to needy areas.