The Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed intense discussions on the long-pending Foothill Road project, with Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and other leaders emphasizing the need for clarity, cooperation, and timely execution to ensure its successful completion.
Responding to Starred Question No. 1, Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio acknowledged the concerns raised by MLAs Nyamnyie Konyak, Nuklutoshi, and Achumbemo Kikon regarding the Foothill Road project. Considering their queries as valid, Dr. Rio highlighted the division of the Rs 148.50 crore project into 17 packages, a move he termed “questionable.” While refraining from further comment on the department’s decision, he stressed the importance of resolving alignment issues in Wokha district.
Dr. Rio also pointed out inconsistencies in the agreement between the state government and the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC). While the agreement prohibits subletting, reports of the committee collaborating with other contractors raised concerns that needed clarification.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the NFHRCC and civil society organizations for their support but emphasized that grievances should be channeled through elected representatives, given the project’s designation as a “people’s project.”
Recalling the project’s origins in 1993 during his tenure as Works and Housing Minister, Dr. Rio detailed the financial allocations made over the years, totaling Rs 245.50 crore from the state budget. However, he expressed concern over the non-utilization of funds, warning that failure to spend allocated amounts within the financial year could result in penalties and affect future funding.
Dr. Rio also clarified that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had not provided any funding for the project, citing a lack of vehicle density as a reason for not declaring it a National Highway. He urged stakeholders to support the government’s efforts, assuring that additional funds could be allocated if public cooperation was ensured.
Minister for Roads and Bridges, G. Kaito Aye, assured the Assembly of the project’s timely completion, urging stakeholders to resolve differences through dialogue. He defended the department’s handling of the project, stating that all contractors were registered and competent, with work progressing at various sites.
Aye acknowledged the realignment of a 40 km stretch in Wokha district due to difficult terrain and reported that discussions with Assam had resolved issues in disputed areas. He expressed confidence in the project’s success and withdrew his earlier statement about resigning if the project failed, reaffirming his commitment to its completion.
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MLA Nyamnyie Konyak underscored the hardships faced by Nagas, particularly those from the eastern region, due to the lack of the Foothill Road. He urged the government and contractors to expedite the project, emphasizing the need for uniformity in road construction and cautioning against excessive interference from committees.
MLA Nuklutoshi criticised the NFHRCC for focusing on contract disputes rather than project progress. He questioned the division of the project into 17 packages and raised concerns about the competence of local contractors. Nuklutoshi warned that such interference could set a dangerous precedent for future projects.
MLA Achumbemo Kikon questioned the omission of the Foothill Road project from the Governor’s address, calling it a significant achievement. He criticized the NFHRCC’s confrontational approach and stressed the need to uphold the authority of government agencies in project execution.
Call for Unity and Progress
The discussions concluded with a strong appeal from Chief Minister Dr. Rio and Minister Kaito Aye for unity and cooperation among all stakeholders. They emphasized the importance of completing the Foothill Road, a project crucial for Nagaland’s connectivity and development, and urged contractors and the public to support the government’s efforts.
The Assembly’s debate highlighted the complexities surrounding the Foothill Road project while reaffirming the government’s commitment to its timely and successful completion.
