Nagaland legislators give unanimous ‘ayes’ to pursue foothill roads with NEC

September 23, 2022 112 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | September 23

The members of the Nagaland Legislative have unanimously approved with echos of ‘ayes’ to pursue matter of the long drawn issue of foothill road construction with the Northeast Council (NEC) on September 22.

This decision to this effect came after Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio sought the sense of the house, following MLA Imkong L Imchen calling the attention to matter of urgent public importance in today’s assembly, suggested putting up the proposal to NEC.

While regretting, this road is yet to see to the light of the day so far, Rio conveyed the importance of the foothill road for its economic potentials, mineral belt, oil and petroleum, forest products etc.

However, he said there have been issues and problems which have delayed the projects over the years.

Briefly narrating the chronicles for the demand of foothill road, Rio said it was pursued since 1993 when he raised the issue in the NEC meeting in Itanagar.

It then could not materialise due to the border issue at that point of time with Assam raising objection, he shared. Now, with friendlier government, the State Government is trying to build the foothill road inside Nagaland, except for some portions, he added.

Rio also informed the house that this issued was taken up with the MoRTH on several occasions, including joint meeting with the Minister in-charge Nitin Gadkari.

Even we have written to Prime Minister, he maintained.

While awaiting the central government to release funds, Rio said an additional amount of Rs 30 crore was released from the State Plan for the construction, despite lack of funds.

However, when the state was ready to release a bills proposal mounting a little over Rs 17 crore, Rio noted with regret that there was an ultimatum from the contractors to agitate giving a deadline for non-release of bills.

“That is our functioning, contractors giving an ultimatum for releasing of find is a very bad precedent” commented Rio.

To this, he remarked: “Let us not take the habit of threatening the government or giving last date. Any contractor can come and discuss. Why through newspapers, ultimatums and memorandums.” With the work progress and bill payment being released, he sought fully support the decision of the members.

Meanwhile, Imchen suggested that the road should be converted into four-lane road as ‘a public road is meant for all and not necessarily meant for a particular tribe or district.’

Mentioning the daily harassments meted out to the Naga commuters coming from adjacent districts of Mokokchung, Longleng, Mon etc, he pressed on the need to complete the road at the earliest which he said, will bring ‘economic boom for the whole state.’

“The demand of the Naga public is focussed on the FHR. It may become a public scandal which will disturb the peace of mind of the elected representative and regret why we couldn’t do during our time,” he added.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-legislators-give-unanimous-ayes-to-pursue-foothill-roads-with-nec