Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Phase-I of the proposed Foothills Road (Trans–Nagaland Highway) covering 180.656 km from Dimapur to Tuli have been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for consideration and approval as a National Highway. The DPRs, covering Package I to VI of the project, estimate the cost of this phase at ₹3,284.06 crore. The total cost of the proposed Foothills Road project is estimated at around ₹9,000 crore.
The matter was raised by Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, Supongmeren Jamir under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha, urging the Government of India to approve and prioritize the construction of the road.
The proposed Foothills Road is expected to stretch about 395 km along the foothills bordering Assam and aims to enable travel across Nagaland without repeatedly crossing interstate boundaries.
Once completed, the highway is expected to directly connect around 103 towns and villages and benefit more than 11 lakh people. It is also expected to link interior districts with existing national highways and state roads, potentially improving connectivity and facilitating trade and economic activities.
According to the proposal, the alignment of the road will pass through several districts including Peren, Chumoukedima, Dimapur, Niuland, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon.
Jamir urged the Government of India to expedite approval of the project, stating that improved connectivity through the Foothills Road would support development and economic growth in the state.
The development comes amid an ongoing debate surrounding the Foothills Road project. The issue had been raised during the recent session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, which is currently on recess, and also forms part of a continuing exchange between the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee and the state’s Nagaland Public Works Department over the execution of the road.