The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has raised serious concerns over the progress and quality of ongoing Foothills Road construction works during two rounds of joint inspections carried out in Baghty and Dimapur Divisions on November 15 and 22.
According to NFHRCC, the November 15 inspection covered eight allocated works in Baghty Division, including five double-lane galvanized steel bridges and three land-upgradation projects. The inspection team comprised representatives from 13 tribes, the Lotha Hoho and its subordinate bodies LLRPO and YAPO, contractor firms for seven projects, the Aggrieved Foothills Forum of Bhandari and Changpang areas, and officials from the concerned department.
One contractor firm, M/S Ren Kik-E.Z.J & Co., failed to appear for the inspection, the NFHRCC disclosed.
A subsequent inspection was conducted on November 22 along the Niuland–Hovekhu stretch under Dimapur Division, connecting Old Ralan in Baghty Division. The committee reported that the work executed by M/S N Chiso & Sons, including the galvanized double-lane steel bridge over the Dadi River, was progressing satisfactorily and slated for completion within the stipulated timeframe of December 2025.
In contrast, the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of three projects under M/S JK Constructions and M/S Chabou & Co. It observed that only around 15% of the work had been completed, despite the contract period ending on December 18, 2025. During inspection, none of the 156 Hume pipe culverts, five major slab culverts, or several retaining and protection walls outlined in the DPR were found completed, it stated.
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During the joint inspection, the Committee unanimously adopted two resolutions. It was asserted that no Foothills Road construction within Lotha jurisdiction in Wokha District would proceed without the knowledge and consent of NFHRCC. It was also resolved that the ongoing two-lane Foothills Road would first be constructed under the SASCI loan scheme, and the competent authority was urged to issue the second-phase work order under SASCI for the remaining sectors at the earliest.
The NFHRCC urged the NPWD (Roads & Bridges) to immediately direct the underperforming contractor firms to adhere to the contractual timelines. It further called on the department to supply galvanized steel bridge materials to the contract firms applying the same yardstick of inclusiveness & transparency to all sectors at the earliest.
It also urged to sort out the alignments meticulously as per the joint survey done along with the Committee in 2013 at Serika-Khumjoyan sector with Wokha Division of Forest & Environment Department, Government of Nagaland.
The committee also pressed the department to resolve issues with the Power Department relating to high-voltage transmission towers along the Pangtong–Merapani stretch in Baghty Division, and to instruct M/S T Albert Angami & Co. to rectify several damaged stretches along the Rengamapani–Hovekhu junction connectivity road. It also sought expedited preparation of the DPR for Phase II as per alignments agreed with the Committee, tribal hohos and the affected landowners in all remaining sectors in order to continue with the Foothills road construction activities without further delay.
The committee appealed to the Minister of NPWD (Roads & Bridges) and the local MLA of 40 Bhandari A/C to undertake an immediate inspection of the Baghty Division sectors to restore public confidence in the transparency and workmanship of the project. It stressed the need to complete the “People’s Road” within the stipulated structures and timelines defined in the DPR and work agreements.
Meanwhile, the NFHRCC welcomed the Western Chakhesang Public Organisation as the 14th tribal body to join the NFHRCC fraternity, strengthening the collective mission to realize the aspiration of constructing the Foothills Road with dignity.
