Foothills Road Project: The Naga people-negotiated road project

I am compelled to clarify and provide a clear account of the Nagaland Foothills Road Project to the people of Nagaland in general, and particularly to the PWD (R&B) Department and the contractors involved.

1. There was no Foothills Road Project in Nagaland until June 10, 2013.
2. In May 2013, a serious incident occurred in Mariani, where six Naga vehicles were completely destroyed, and Naga traveller’s and passengers were brutally assaulted by the people of Assam led by the Mariani Assembly Constituency MLA, . Rocky Hussain, who took the law into his own hands.
3. Following this incident, the affected Naga tribal people approached the Government of Nagaland to initiate the construction of a separate foothills road within the state territory of Nagaland, to avoid crossing into Assam particularly during times of strained relations.
4. Accordingly, on June 10, 2013, a consultative meeting was held, led by then Ao Senson Telongjem Dimapur president, Supu Jamir (ASTD), and former Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir, who represented the Government of Nagaland at Kohima. Both sides agreed and resolved to construct the Nagaland Foothills Road, which was termed an “Extraordinary Project,” a “Salvation Road,” and a” “Security Road” for the people of Nagaland.
5. Thus, on June 10, 2013, the Nagaland Foothills Road was conceived as a Naga People’s Project under the direct initiative of ten (10) Naga tribes.
6. On June 30, 2013, representatives from these ten tribes met in Dimapur and formed the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC).
7. After its formation, the committee decided to approach the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, for fund allocation for the project.
8. On July 17, 2013, the committee met the Hon’ble Chief Minister at his residence to discuss financial support. After deliberations, the Chief Minister willingly sanctioned Rs. 40 crores in the presence of the PWD Minister, Chief Secretary, and Finance Commissioner at Kohima.
9. Following the fund allocation, the committee and the PWD (R&B) Department held a series of meetings to conduct a road survey from Dimapur to Tizit, covering approximately 350 km. It was agreed that the survey would be carried out jointly by the committee and PWD survey teams.
10. The joint survey was successfully completed in August and September 2013, during which the committee secured No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from Naga landowners to facilitate the project.
11. As the Foothills Road was considered a lifeline for the Naga people, the committee persuaded and convinced the Naga landowners to waive land compensation claims, thereby saving the state government approximately Rs. 400 crores.
12. With survey completion, NOC clearance, and land compensation resolved, both parties agreed to commence road construction in December 2013.
13. Consequently, the committee and PWD (R&B) officially launched construction on December 22, 2013, in Mokokchung District and on December 27, 2013, in Wokha District.
14. Following the launch, the Nagaland state government allocated funds as follows: Rs. 40 crores for 2013-14 and Rs.27 crores for 2014-15. However, from 2016 to 2020, the project was halted due to a lack of funding.
15. After a five-year hiatus (2016-20), the committee resumed the project in 2021-22, securing an additional Rs. 30 crores from the Nagaland state government. However, the recent fund allocation of Rs. 148.50 crores in 2023-24 has led to controversies between the Committee, Contractors, and the State Government.
16. The Nagaland government asserts that the project is 100% state-funded, while the committee counters that it remains an extraordinary project negotiated by the Naga people.
17. As the former General Secretary of the committee, I solemnly declare that this project was a people-driven initiative, distinct from routine state government developmental projects. This declaration is made in my capacity as a founding member of the committee.
18. Since the inception of the project in 2013, there was a harmonious understanding between the committee, PWD (R&B) Department, and Contractors. No disputes arose until 2021-22. However, in 2023-24, with the state government’s fund enhancement from Rs. 100 crores to Rs. 148.50 crores and the issuance of work orders to 17 contractors, conflicts emerged, leading to media controversies.
19. Since both the committee and the state government share the responsibility of ensuring quality construction and timely completion, there should be no fundamental disagreements regarding the project’s objectives. I urge the contractors and the Nagaland state government to cooperate, resolve their differences, and work together in the best interests of the people of Nagaland.
    (Yingashumo Kithan)
    Former General Secretary
    & Founding Member of
    The NFHRCC, Nagaland