NFHRCC says, connectivity; not to touch DAB area
The proposed foothill road linking Dimapur -Tuli and Tizit has assumed the most important and crucial socio-economic agenda. When completed, it will connect five districts and one sub-division and also solve problems of bandhs faced by vehicles having to pass through Assam to Mokokchung, Mon, Longleng etc.
On Tuesday, a consultative meeting convened by the Nagaland Foot Hill Road Construction Committee (NFHRCC) was held with legislators of constituencies where the foothill road would pass through. The NFHRCC comprises of representatives of nine Naga tribes of the state to ensure that the project became a reality.
The meeting attended by NFHRCC members with eight legislators from constituencies over the foothill areas was held in Hotel Saramati.
It was necessitated following the outcome of a meeting between NFHRCC with the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Road & Bridges department officials on July 17.
The meeting was held to confer on the road alignment survey conducted by the R&B department. According to convener NFHRCC Supu Jamir, the foothill road alignment projected by the R& B department on scrutiny, revealed that it needed certain rectifications since the alignment did not conform to the definition of the “foothill road”.
After the chief minister’s attention was drawn on this, he asked the NFHRCC to map out the necessary rectification of the alignment, in consultation with the R&B department.
At Tuesday’s meeting in Dimapur, it was resolved that necessary changes on the alignment would be done by the NFHRCC. It was decided that, Naga tribes owning lands where the foothill road was to be built are to furnish map of their respective areas, then consult and align the shortest and most convenient foothill leeway as per definition of the foothill road.
After the realignments are made, NFHRCC would then consult with the R&B department for mapping the final route of the foothill road and then submit it to the chief minister for approval.
The meeting also resolved that the route for the foothill road would avoid passing through the Disturb Area Belt (DAB) with Assam as the border dispute between Assam and Nagaland was with the Supreme Court and undertaking the work in DAB area would be subjudice. Even Assam might object to the construction or the apex court pass a stay order.
The meeting also resolved to demand additional fund for the construction of a bridge over river Doyang, apart from the Rs 40 crore earmarked by the state government for carrying out the initial phase of the construction work.
Parliamentary Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Benjongliba Aier, who chaired the admitted that despite decades of countless deliberations and assurances in the Nagaland Assembly over the foothill road, nothing concrete had been done.
He however expressed confidence that with participation of nine tribal Naga hohos and 17 legislators from the border area, the demand for foothill road connectivity of more than four decades would become a reality. Dr Benjong also said it would be the obligation of legislators of those villages where the foothill road may not touch, to ensure that a road was built to link with the foothill road.
Former Addl. CS TN Manen also spoke on possibility of having to reroute the road to avoid controversial areas . On the four lane foothill road from Tizit to Khelma, Manen said unless there was expected economic returns, the centre was unlikely to spend thousands of crore rupees.
MLA and MARCOFED chairman Mnhonlumo Kikon stressed on the need for constructing the Doyang Bridge for the foothill connectivity. Without the bridge, there could be no connectivity he said
Parliamentary secretary for Transport Paiwang Konyak, N Jacob Zhimomi MLA, parliamentary secretary for IT&C Tovihoto Ayemi, Namri Nchang MLA, Amenba Yaden MLA and deputy speaker Er Levi Rengma attended the meeting today.
Meanwhile, NFHRCC Convener Supu Jamir and Y Kithan, general secretary have convened a meeting along with three representatives each from all 9 tribal hohos in the residence of Yatshitsungba, Kher Mahal on July 26.