Rs. 82 crore earmarked for foothill road construction: NFHRCC

Nagaland Foothill Road Construction Committee (NFHRCC) Saturday said that Rs. 82 crores has been earmarked for the construction of the proposed foot hill road. With the state government announcing the sanction of Rs. 40 crore out of the Rs. 82 crore earmarked, the state government has also assured the remaining amount would be taken care.

NFHRCC convenor Supu Jamir disclosed this at the meeting held at Lotha Hoho Ki near DC Court Junction, Saturday. Supu Jamir said that the construction work would commence from October 1 as assured by the government of Nagaland on July 17 last.

Stating that NFHRCC would stand firm with the July 17 decision and the assurances of the chief minister on the same day, Supu urged the responsible department as well as the state government not to deduct any percentage from the allotted amount except some of the statutory or mandatory deduction.

The convenor also felt that works related to the construction should be executed by the 10 tribes on the principle of sharing in consultation with the responsible department.

With regard to the construction of the foothill road, Supu reminded the state chief minister’s suggestions that the department along with the committee should sort out ‘feasibility’ or option III.

According to Supu, Rio has verbally directed the responsible department as well as NFHRCC office bearers to go for necessary rectification with regard to road alignment at the earliest as the construction would start from October 1.

Maintaining that a little rectification would be needed in Mon sector, NFHRCC members maintained that no land compensation to the owners would be given and that the committee had resolved to approach “Naga national workers” for exemption of tax from the road project.

It was also disclosed that a joint survey would be conducted within this month in order to start the work by October.

In the meeting, it was also resolved that a crucial meeting would be convened on September 13, 11 a.m. at the residence of the committees’ treasurer, Yashitsüngba, Khermahal, Dimapur, with the officials of the department to discuss modalities of the committee.

Meanwhile, NFHRCC at the meeting decided that NoC should be submitted to NFHRCC by all the tribal hohos within seven days time frame not to seek land compensation.

It was also decided that the allocation of contract works in their respective areas shall be finalized reflecting the voices and consent NFHRCC members. 

It was emphasized that the works would be shared amongst the10 tribes or NFHRCC for the construction of the foothill road.