Nagaland Foot Hill Road Construction Committee (NFHRCC) on Saturday said they were frustrated at being “played around” by the chief minister of Nagaland T.R. Zeliang and minister of Roads and Bridges.
NFHRCC said they have decided to approach the chief minister for “one last time” to discuss the assured funds which so far had not materialised.
Construction of Naga Foothill road, as known as “the dream project” hit a roadblock in the last leg due to fund constraint.
NFHRCC said it had exhausted all the viable means to complete the fresh cutting of the final eight kilometre road. The final leg of the project was estimated at a cost of Rs 11.5 crores and the committee had apprised the CM for the same in the last working season which ended in the month of February 2016.
In response, on February 11, 2016, CM assured the committee both in written and verbally that by any means he would provide the required fund to for the completion of the project whether it be from Special Planning Fund (SPF) or from the state fund.
But till date, the committee officials said, no funds had been released.
On the other hand, they said chief minister had also declined to meet its members on several occasions. Even the concerned minister had declined the fervent requests and appeals made by the committee.
The minister in charge cited that he could allocate funds only after the approval of the chief minister but even after the committee presented the written document (endorsed by the chief minister) no action was initiated, NFHRCC said.
Therefore, left with no option and time running out as the road had to be completed in the current working season “by all means necessary”, the committee said it had entrusted the Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) to have “one last meeting” with the chief minister.
Saturday’s meeting called by the Foot Hill road committee was attended by representative from all the ten apex tribal hohos including the office bearers of ENPO led by the president.
The committee said it would request the chief minister to act upon his assurance or hand over the work to the committee so that the latter would mobilise funds to complete the final eight kilometres in the current working season.
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