The full text of the press release issued by the Department of Works & Housing on the foothill road issue is as follows :

“The importance of having a road along the foothills of Nagaland is known to everyone. Such a road, apart from convenience of travel, also has the potential to bring about changes in the socio-economic front. The State Government had, therefore, initiated the proposal for construction of more than 300 km along the foot hill areas of the North Western part of the State encompassing large areas of Mon, Longleng, Mokokchung, Wokha, Dimapur and Peren Districts. As the State Government does not have sufficient resources of its own, the proposal was actively taken up for funding at various forums.

This long felt need of the State to construct a road along the foothill areas of the State is still yet to be made operational. The State Government has, and is, committed to see that this is made into reality. This commitment also forms part of the Nagaland Vision 2030.

Towards this end, the Government had, during 2013-14 tied up funding of Rs 235.00 Crores for the Foothill connectivity covering a distance of 342 km through the Special Plan Assistance (SPA). Accordingly, works were taken up from 2013-14 onwards as per the budget allocation of Rs. 4000.00 lakhs during 2013-14 and Rs. 2700.00 Lakhs during 2014-15, totaling to Rs. 6700.00 lakhs (Rs. 67.00 Cr). Regrettably, the SPA funding was discontinued by Government of India from 2015-16 onwards and therefore, all items of work projected in the proposal could not be taken up.

The State Government in all earnestness, has been, continuously pursuing with the Central Government for release of the balance funds under the SPA so that the incomplete works are completed. Further, during 2014-15, the State Government submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) for declaration of Foothill road as National Highway. However, the declaration of new National Highways is yet to be finalized.

Meanwhile, this proposal was again been taken up with the Hon'ble Union Minister, Road Transport and Highways by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Nagaland on 19th January, 2021 for taking up the project under BharatmalaPariyojna project on priority. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has also personally met the Union Minister on the matter. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has again taken up the issue with the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on 6th Sept 2021 for consideration. As can be seen, the Government is making all efforts to get the Project completed.

However, to address the immediate issue, the Hon'ble Chief Minister convened a meeting with the Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister and Departmental Officers on the 10th Sept 2021. After detailed discussion, the Department has been directed to start the exercise to make the road pliable, while awaiting the approval of the proposal for declaration as a National Highway or under the Bharatmala Pariyojna.

Accordingly, the Administrative Approval for an amount of Rs. 20.00 Crores has been accorded for taking up emergency works and Rs. 10.00 Crores has also been earmarked for the completion of the Doyang Bridge near Governor's Camp during the current Financial year. The Department has therefore been instructed to start the tendering process etc.

This statement is issued for the general information of the citizens of the State.”

(DIPR)