The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has issued a stern reminder to the Nagaland Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) over delays in issuing work orders for the remaining divisions of the 2-lane Foothills Road project, following an ultimatum served by 13 Dimapur-based Tribal Hohos that expires on March 31, 2026.
In a press release, the NFHRCC said there has been no response from the concerned department so far and urged the Tribal HOHOs to be prepared – mentally, emotionally, financially, and strategically – for “any democratic form of protest” should the government fail to keep the project on track.
The Nagaland Foothills Road, initiated in 2013 under guidance from the Tribal Apex Hoho, is a 395.9 km mega project connecting Tizit in Mon District to Khelma in Peren District, passing through eight districts and over 200 villages. The project, designed to provide a “survival road” for long-awaited all-round development, has already received Rs. 248.5 crore, including Rs. 148.5 crore under the ongoing first phase of the SASCI Loan Scheme.
ALSO READ | NPCC criticizes Imna Along over Vande Mataram remarks, warns against ideological imposition
The committee emphasized that the ongoing two-lane construction should not be conflated with a four-lane highway under the National Highways Act, and appealed to the government to first complete the SASCI-funded phase before considering expansion.
“The NFHRCC humbly appeals to the Govt. of Nagaland and the concerned department to first complete the ongoing Two-Lane Road construction under SASCI and thereafter, we can go for the four-lane road construction as per National Highways Act. Therefore, the ongoing two-lane road construction under SASCI shouldn’t be mixed with or confused with a four lane road under MoRTH (NH Act.),” the NFHRCC stated.
“For the last more than 60 years of Nagaland Statehood, the Nagas are yearning for a survival road for all round developments as road is the mother of development,” the NFHRCC press release stated.
