‘Stands by progress report submitted by PWD’
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 27 (MExN): The Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has reiterated its demand to complete the foothill road project, which was started in 2013. The NFHRCC issued a press release today terming the project as “extraordinary,” while stating, “This is a project neither from the Government nor from the department concerned, but is a project initiated by the Naga public (CSOs and the Hohos).”
It said that the extraordinary nature of the project is based on three points— no land compensation to land owners, no taxation by the Naga Political Groups and no monetary deduction by the state PWD “other than the statutory deduction.”
As reiterated on many occasions, it recalled that the intention was to make the road motorable at the same time paving the way for the pending “mega project” (or the proposed Trans Nagaland Expressway). In this regard, it cited a statement made by the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the ENPO silver jubilee celebration on February 24 in Tobu. As per the NFHRCC, the CM at the programme announced “that his government is ready to make the fund available through any means for the construction of motorable/Jeepable road.”
On that note, it reminded the CM to provide the necessary funds before the expiry of the working season.
As far as transforming the foothill road into the proposed Trans Nagaland Expressway was concerned, it said that the NFHRCC had provided the “NOC given by the Land owners” to the CM on the latter’s request and accordingly, the same was passed on to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
Subsequently, a consultancy firm from Kolkata made the necessary survey and prepared the DPRs, which it said has already reached the Prime Minister’s Office. It added that declaration of the foothill road project to that of the proposed Trans Nagaland Expressway was being awaited.
Meanwhile, it maintained that the project survives despite many odds and difficulties.
On the contradictory statements with regard to the Doyang Bridge construction at Liphanyan, it said, “Many statements have been made by different Organisations and even on the floor of the Nagaland State Assembly.” Nevertheless, it maintained that until and unless the authority in concern (PWD) admits otherwise, the NFHRCC will stand by the “progress report” submitted by the department. The report, it added, was endorsed by a combined inspection team comprising the tribal hohos, PWD, contractor/firm and the NFHRCC on February 10.
A PDF copy of the progress report submitted by the department was also attached to the press release, an extract of which is reproduced here. (See Table)
