The long-pending Foothills Road project, often referred to as a “lifeline” alternative to NH-2, has once again come under scrutiny, as the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has raised serious concerns about the quality of work, pace of progress, and the State’s project management practices.
In a statement issued after consultations with Tribal Hohos, the NFHRCC reiterated its demand for the Government to first complete the ongoing two-lane construction from Tizit to Khelma before expanding to additional stretches.
The Committee insisted out that the Phase-II project, funded under the SASCI loan component must be tendered “at the earliest through an open tender system,” implicitly raising concerns over transparency and the pace of administrative processing.
The most serious concern flagged by the NFHRCC is the alleged defective Detailed Project Report (DPR) in the Baghty Division.
According to the Committee, the stretch covering five ongoing double-lane solid galvanized steel bridges, and 41 km of road from Doyang Bridge (Governor’s Camp, Liphanyan) to Merapani Foothills point was found to have no embankment, no side walls, and no retaining walls throughout the length.
The Committee noted that officials were “unable to provide ample explanation,” and described the pace of work as “abysmally slow,” indicating not just technical lapses but systemic weaknesses in oversight and supervision.
In a resolution adopted on December 5, the NFHRCC entrusted the Lotha Hoho, along with its subordinate bodies LLRPO, YAPO etc., to urgently convene a meeting with contractor firms and divisional officials. The objective is to sort out discrepancies and push for early completion of what the Committee calls the “People’s Road.”
The NFHRCC also underlined a shortage of field staff in Baghty Division, stating that the longest stretch of the Foothills Road has inadequate personnel to supervise the works.
“Hope, the Departmental authority will take the matter seriously and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice without any prejudices,” the NFHRCC stated.
