The Naga Foothills Highways & Road Construction Committee (NFHRCC) has raised concerns over delays in multiple road and bridge projects in Baghty and Dimapur divisions, urging the Nagaland Public Works Department (NPWD) to ensure timely completion.
According to a statement from the Media Cell, NFHRCC, during joint inspections conducted on November 15 and 22, 2025, a team comprising representatives from 13 tribes, the Apex Lotha Hoho and its subordinates LLRPO and YAPO, contractors from seven projects, and representatives of the Foothills Forum reviewed eight work sites, including five double-lane galvanized steel bridges and three land-upgradation projects. One contractor, M/S REN KIK_E.Z.J & CO, failed to appear for the inspection as expected.
The NFHRCC observed that the workmanship of M/S N. Chiso & Sons on the Niuland-Hovekhu stretch, including the galvanized double-lane steel bridge over River Dadi, “was progressing well and expected to be completed within the stipulated time period up till December 2025.” However, in Baghty Division, while three bridges have already been completed and two are nearing completion, work under M/S JK Constructions and M/S Chabou & Co is “far from satisfactory, only about 15% of works has been completed.” According to the DPR, none of the 156 Hume pipe culverts, five major slab culverts, and several retaining and protection walls have been finished.
The committee also emphasized that no foothills road within Lotha jurisdiction of Wokha District should proceed without the knowledge and consent of NFHRCC. It noted that ongoing two-lane foothills road construction will be undertaken under the SASCI Loan scheme, and urged authorities to issue the Phase II work orders in the remaining sectors at the earliest.
NFHRCC called on the NPWD to ensure that underperforming contractors fulfil their obligations and that steel bridge materials are provided with transparency and inclusiveness. Alignments at the Serika-Khumjoyan sector need to be meticulously resolved with the Wokha Division of Forest and Environment, while high-voltage transmission tower structures along the Pangtong-Merapani stretch require coordination with the Department of Power. Contractors at Rengamapani-Hovekhu Road junction were also directed to rectify damaged portions in completed works, and the committee urged the DPR on Phase II to be completed as per previously resolved alignments to enable continued construction without delay.
The NFHRCC also appealed to the Minister of NPWD and the local MLA of 40 Bhandari A/C to personally inspect Baghty Division to “reassure public confidence on transparency and workmanship” and ensure that the people’s road is completed on time, as per the DPR and work agreements.
The committee welcomed the Western Chakhesang Public Organisation, marking it the 14th tribal body to join the NFHRCC fraternity in its collective mission to provide dignified and accountable road infrastructure for the public.