Nagaland PWD Minister issues directives for Foothill Road work

Contractors told to maintain high standards and expedite work

Dimapur, April 19 (MExN): The Minister of Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges), Nagaland, G Kaito Aye, undertook a comprehensive two-day inspection tour of the ongoing Nagaland Foothill Road project on April 15 and 16. 

The O/o Chief Engineer PWD ((R&B) Kohima, Nagaland in a press release stated that the Minister was accompanied by the Chief Engineer, Additional Chief Engineer, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, and Technical Officers of the PWD (R&B).

During the inspection, the Minister Kaito Aye emphasised that the Foothill Road is a transformative project for Nagaland’s connectivity and economic growth, urging all stakeholders to maintain high standards and expedite work. He made it clear that quality should not be compromised. “Contractors and divisions must adhere to specifications and ensure timely completion for the benefit of our people,” Aye reiterated.

The Minister assessed progress across multiple divisions, issuing critical directives to ensure timely and quality execution.  

Tuli, Longleng and Naginimora sections
Tuli, Longleng and Naginimora sections were covered on the first day of inspection. In Tuli section, the team instructed re-grading of road alignment at several locations in the greenfield length of 8.5 kms. Strict instructions were issued to avoid stone dust in all constructions. 

It was also observed that there are two swampy stretches on which the Minister directed the submission of diversion proposals for approval. Overall, the Tuli section was noted to need significant improvement in execution quality and compliance with standards. 
In Longleng section, progress was found to be sluggish, with contractors instructed to accelerate work and deploy additional machinery, including motor graders and compactors, to meet deadlines. 

In Mon &Naginimora section, concerned Divisions were directed to submit a detailed action plan to ensure the Tizit to Tuli stretch becomes motorable by May 2025 and all sanctioned bridges to be completed by December 2025.

Dimapur and Baghty Divisions
On day 2 (April 16), Dimapur and Baghty Divisions (Niuland to Merapani & Road to Rengmapani) were covered. The Minister PWD R&B and his team of officials were joined by the MLA, Achumbemo Kikon. The team reviewed progress along the Niuland-Merapani stretch and Niuland to Rengmapani road.  Ongoing works at this stretch was found to be satisfactory. 

The team instructed all contractors to cut hill slopes with proper angle of repose to ensure stability of cut slopes. Also, use of inferior materials not meeting laid down specifications such as stone dust in CRSM or RCC works and river gravel in GSB layers are to be banned.

Instruction was also given for mandatory use of motor graders and soil compactor/vibratory rollers sub grade and stone metaling layers.

“The inspection underscores the state government’s commitment to robust infrastructure development, with close monitoring to address bottlenecks and enforce accountability,” the release added.