A major stretch of the Foothill Road connecting Doyang Bridge to the Merapani sector under the Executive Engineer (E.E.) Baghty Division was formally inaugurated on Saturday, signalling progress in long-awaited connectivity for residents under the 40 Bhandari Assembly Constituency.
The road was inaugurated at Doyang Bridge by MLA and Chairman of SDPDB Bhandari, Achumbemo Kikon, in the presence of representatives from various civil society organisations, including the Lotha Hoho, Lower Lotha Range Public Organisation (LLRPO), Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH), and other stakeholders.
The programme, chaired by YAPO president Thungdemo Tungoe, began with an invocation by senior pastor Woreno Ovung, followed by a welcome address from the contractors and short speeches by representatives of different organisations.
Speaking to media persons after the inauguration, Kikon expressed satisfaction over the completion of the road component, maintaining that the work had been executed according to approved specifications and completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Recalling the launch of the project on February 21, 2025 at Khumjo Yan village under Bhandari sub-division, he noted that the inauguration came after “exactly one year, three months and two days.”
“The work order specified completion within one year. I had been pressing the contractors to expedite the work and today it has been completed according to the sanctioned specification,” he said.
Kikon clarified that the existing road surface presently comprised only the sanctioned Granular Sub Base (GSB) layer under the approved work order, adding that the sanctioned portion had been executed satisfactorily.
“At the moment, it is only one layer of GSB laying, and whatever has been sanctioned has been completed perfectly. Therefore, I am satisfied and we have opened the road,” he remarked.
However, he clarified that while the road section had been completed, bridge construction remained under process owing to mandatory curing requirements.
“The only thing remaining is the bridge work, which requires curing time. We may have to wait for another month before the road becomes fully operational,” he stated.
Responding to concerns over inaugurating the road before the bridges were fully complete, Kikon explained that road formation works and bridge construction were separate components handled by different agencies.
According to him, the surface road works, including earth cutting and GSB laying, had been executed by M/S Chabou & Co. and JK Construction, whereas separate agencies were responsible for bridge construction.
“As far as the surface road portion is concerned, it has been completed. Since I launched the project, it was also my responsibility to monitor the progress and ensure completion within the stipulated period,” he said.
He further reasoned that postponing the inauguration solely because of bridge curing would not have been practical, as the road portion had already been completed.
While expressing optimism over the present achievement, Kikon urged the state government, particularly the Roads and Bridges Department, to prioritise Phase-II of the project, including blacktopping of the completed stretch and extension of the Foothill Road towards Changpang.
Describing the route as a heavy traffic corridor with an estimated 200 to 300 heavily loaded trucks using it, he cautioned that the present GSB layer could deteriorate without proper surfacing.
“Without blacktopping, the GSB layer may be washed away due to heavy vehicular movement,” he warned, appealing for early sanction of funds.
Kikon also acknowledged the cooperation of landowners, residents of the 40 Bhandari Assembly Constituency, and the wider Lotha community for supporting the successful execution of the project.
Speaking on behalf of the executing firms, contractor Dr. John Murry credited the successful completion of the road to Kikon’s determination and continued follow-up.
Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Representing M/S Chabou & Co. and JK Construction, he said the inauguration became possible because of the MLA’s persistence and efforts in raising the matter at the Assembly level.
“On behalf of both firms and the public, I sincerely acknowledge and appreciate your efforts,” he said.
Murry also thanked the Department of Roads and Bridges (R&B) and the district administration for extending support during implementation, despite challenges such as heavy rainfall, difficult terrain, and limited availability of infrastructure, including stone crushers and sawmills.
He maintained that the contractors remained committed to completing the project despite numerous obstacles.
Presenting the technical report, officials from the Roads and Bridges Department informed that under SASCI 2023–24, eight work orders had been issued for the Foothill Road project under Baghty Division, comprising three road packages and five double-lane modular steel bridges.
The report stated that the project covered 38.6 kilometres, extending from Doyang Bridge near Governor’s Camp to Merapani and divided into three packages: Governor’s Camp Doyang Bridge to Shantatchu River (Liphi Junction), Shantatchu River to Pangtong VR Junction, and Pangtong VR Junction to Merapani.
The sanctioned works included widening of the road to two-lane specifications through earth cutting, laying of a 150 mm GSB layer, construction of earthen shoulders, side drains, culverts, box culverts, and protection measures.
Officials informed that, except for GSB works near bridge locations, most road components had been completed, with physical progress estimated at 99 per cent.
Regarding bridge infrastructure, the report stated that modular steel bridges had been constructed across Jakvarenchu, Shantatchu, Jungtchu, Sungkhatchu, and Tsumang rivers.
Although launching and erection of bridge superstructures had been completed, ancillary works, including toe walls, approach slabs, river aprons, and post-erection activities, were still underway, placing bridge completion at around 98 per cent.
Authorities, however, cautioned against unrestricted heavy vehicular movement, noting that funding limitations had confined the road to only a GSB sub-base layer without final pavement.
The report warned that the present road condition was unsuitable for prolonged heavy traffic and recommended restrictions on permissible tonnage until surfacing works were undertaken.
