Foothills Road: NFHRCC demands signed agreements from contractors

Dimapur, February 11 (MExN): The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has demanded that contractors awarded work orders for the Nagaland Foothills Road Project sign an implementation agreement with the committee and commence work immediately. The committee warned that if the defaulting firms fail to comply, their work orders should be cancelled and reassigned to firms willing to maintain workmanship and transparency.

In a press release issued by NFHRCC, the committee stated that despite multiple appeals and deadlines, several firms have refused to sign the agreement. The committee extended the deadline to January 21, 2025, but some firms ignored the directive. Further meetings were held with various tribal organizations, including Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Sumi Hoho, Phom People’s Council, and Konyak Union, urging the firms within their respective jurisdictions to comply.

The firms that have refused to sign the agreement include M/S Yanna Enterprises, M/S A. Pongshi Phom & Sons, M/S Shangpoh Konyak, M/S Onkho Construction & Supplier, M/S Ren Kik-E.Z.J & Co., M/S JK Constructions (two work orders), and M/S Chabou & Co. On January 20, 2025, M/S JK Construction and M/S Chabou & Co. collected the agreement from NFHRCC but failed to submit it by January 26. Despite a personal request from the committee members, Dr John, proprietor of JK Construction, walked out of a meeting on February 4, 2025, called by the Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, and Sumi Hoho.

Following this, the three apex tribal hohos gave Lotha Hoho five days to resolve the matter with contractors operating within their jurisdiction. They also resolved not to allow defaulting firms to proceed without signing the agreement. Subsequently, the Minister of PWD (R&B) convened a meeting with all 12 apex tribal hohos on February 7, 2025, to deliberate on the agreement, where no infirmities were found. The department is expected to hold further discussions with NFHRCC on the matter.

Background on the Foothills Road Project
NFHRCC highlighted that the Nagaland Foothills Road is considered an extraordinary or people’s project because landowners have given up land without compensation, Naga Political Groups have not levied taxes, and the initiative was conceptualized by Naga leaders under the blessings of apex tribal hohos.

The committee was first entrusted with selecting contractors for the project in 2013. A similar process was followed in 2024, where the department authorized NFHRCC to identify contractors for four major projects. Based on the committee’s recommendations, work orders were issued to M/S S3 Infra for earthwork at Tuli Division, M/S Quinker Enterprises for bridge construction over Jungtchu River at Baghty Division, M/S Mha-Tum & Co for bridge construction over Sungkhatchu River at Baghty Division, and M/S Pelle Kheize & Co for bridge construction at Tsumang River, Shanthatchu-Liphi Junction at Baghty Division. All firms signed an implementation agreement with the committee and commenced work.

Through a joint initiative of NFHRCC and the Chief Minister of Nagaland, with the intervention of the Governor, the project was brought under the Special Assistance to State for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. Consequently, on December 14, 2024, the PWD (R&B) department issued 17 work orders worth Rs. 148.5 crore in the first phase under SASCI to 14 firms: M/S Medodi Construction & Co; M/S N. Chisho Swu & Sons (three work orders); M/S T. Albert Angami & Co; M/S P. Mha-Tum & Co; M/S Quinker Enterprises; M/S S3 Infra; M/S Yanna Enterprises; M/S A. Pongshi Phom & Sons; M/S Shangpoh Konyak; M/S Onkho Construction & Supplier; M/S Ren Kik-E.Z.J & Co; M/S JK Construction (two work orders); M/S Chabou & Co; and M/S Pelle Kheize & Co.

As per established practice for the Foothills Road project, NFHRCC invited all firms that received work orders to sign an implementation agreement with the committee on December 17, 2024, to ensure transparency and maintain construction standards. Out of the 17 work orders, agreements were signed for nine, and work commenced accordingly. However, several firms refused to comply, leading to the ongoing dispute, the NFHRCC said.

NFHRCC reiterated its firm stance that all defaulting firms must sign the implementation agreement and start work without further delay. Given the limited working season, the committee urged the concerned minister and department to take immediate action. Failure to comply should result in the cancellation of work orders and reassignment to contractors willing to abide by project standards, it stated.

The committee said that its role is to ensure smooth execution of the project, maintain quality workmanship, and uphold transparency in construction activities.