Reiterating his demand for quality work along the entire stretch of the Foothill Road Construction, including 5 Steel  Bridges in Bhandari sub-division, MLA and Chairman SDPDB Bhandari, Achumbemo Kikon said that work should be expedited to meet the set dateline of March 31, 2026.
 He said this during the SDPDB meeting held at the conference hall of the Summer House-Cum-Guest House at Bhandari on 13.2.2026.
He further urged the Construction companies, the  Contractors, Government departments, organizations, public of Yanmhon village area, Champang village area and Bhandari as well as individuals to contribute positively towards making the Foothill Road functional on time as collective shareholders.
The meeting which was attended by departmental officers, construction companies and firms as well as NGOs and public leaders deliberated in detail the ongoing work on the Foothill Road Construction covering about 39 kilometers in Bhandari sub-division.
Representative from M/S Chabou & Co. Renbemo Murry, Proprietor, Ms JK Construction, who also represented stated that the construction firms are committed to complete the Foothill Road Construction by 31st March 2026.
Elaborating on work progress in different stages of times, he said that in the past year, work was delayed by 4 months due to some pending issues but were able to mobilise and deploy adequate manpower and machinery to resume and execute work.
He added that heavy and late withdrawal of monsoon rain also hindered work which  encompassed huge quantities of earthwork, but were now in completion process including CD works and protection works.
He also highlighted that more numbers of manpower and machinery are presently pressed to work for completion for both the packages on timeline as per design, drawings and sections to the satisfaction of the department and  in the interest of the general public.
Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Er. Kuhovi Sema, highlighted on Construction of the 5 bridges and said that the ongoing work is found to be satisfactory and are expected to complete on scheduled time.
Dr. Yanthungrhomo Mozhui, who represented the bridge construction firms, however, expressed concern in regard to wing walls for the bridges and also appealed for maintenance of proper drainage systems to prevent water logging or untimely destruction of the Bridges.
T. Amos Kikon, President, Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) spoke on the PMGSY Sungkha Road project which connects 6 villages, namely; Roni old, Mongphio, Lishuyo, Sungkha, Lio Wokha and Hayiyan  to the rest of the sub division.
While lauding the local MLA and Chairman SDPDB Bhandari, Achumbemo Kikon for bringing in various developmental work to the 40  Bhandari, Assembly Constituency, he also viewed that developmental work should only be allotted to people who are genuinely committed to progress of the people.
The house also deliberated and resolved for adoption of Jatropha curcas plantation project under Bhandari.
Weighing on the importance of the project as a viable, long-term agricultural solution, when times are shifting from roadside and weekly markets towards agricultural  enterprise and large scale business, MLA and Chairman SDPDB, Bhandari, Achumbemo Kikon said that implementation of a well guided project will create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers and transform the economic landscape of the region.
Speaking on application of "Right Crop and Right Technology" ,  Pemma Dorji, Managing Director, TERRATROTH INNOVATIONS, Sikkim, said that Jatropha curcas plant is primarily cultivated for bio-fuel, bio-oil, and industrial raw materials and it is an alternative cash crop for farmers.
The plant generally maintains balanced climatic environment by retaining ground water and preventing soil erosion, he said adding that the plants acts as natural barrier and deterrence against crop-raiding livestock’s and will also contribute in reducing Human-Elephant conflict because  Jatropha carcass is toxic for elephants.
Speaking on farmers friendly and proactive role, he emphasised that the company will be in strategic partnership to help, assist and build a strong and sustainable socio-economic status of the people.
He further emphasised that the company will require around 5000 hectares of land to execute the project in its first phase manner.
The house resolved to sensitize the village councils, landowners and farmers on the benefit of the project and to encourage the community to dedicate suitable land and sufficient labour towards cultivation of the crop.
In the meeting,  connection and proper maintenance of electricity to 6 villages namely; Mmhayan, Chanka, Yankhum, Old Wozhu, New Wozhu and Litsuyan was discussed.
The 6 villages in a memorandum stated that currently they were provided electricity connection from Mokokchung district, they however, seek to be  brought under Wokha district for better connectivity and maintenance.
Er. Mhaden Murry JE. Power Bhandari. also informed the house that three distribution transformers have been installed in the sub-division to upscale supply of power to needy areas.

(APRO Bhandari)