Iconic Four Lane Foothills Road to be taken up during
the current year itself, says Nagaland State government
DIMAPUR, JUNE 4 (MExN): In a significant policy decision, the Nagaland State government has decided that 50% of all revenues from Oil & Natural Gas will be set aside for developing the iconic Four Lane Foothills Road. It was also informed that the Road would be taken up during the current year itself.
This being a major project, the government explained that the gestation period for completion of the road will take time. However, the Government has decided that once the alignment is approved, works would be taken up for opening even a single lane carriageway to facilitate travelers. For this, the State Government has decided that 50% of all revenues from Oil & Natural Gas will be set aside for this project.
Meanwhile, the Department has detailed a team of senior technical officers to submit a report immediately on the shortest possible North-South corridor along existing roads. Improvement of this road will be taken up during the current year so as to make it motorable.
The government also explained that the foothills road will pass through the Special Development Zone, the setting up of which is being envisaged by the Government. “It is to be reiterated that foothills road is the initiative of the State Government and cooperation of the people is sought in order to make this road a reality”, it stated.
Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Temjen Toy on June 4 issued a press communiqué informing the public on the status of the much demanded construction of foothills road from Tizit to Khelma, and appealed for the cooperation of the people.
Acknowledging that a lot of demand has been made for construction of this foothill road, the Department of Works & Housing has clarified the position on what it termed as “this very important road” as well as giving the latest status.
It was pointed out that the State Government had been keeping the construction of this road from Tizit in Mon District to Khelma in Peren District as one of its top priorities. However, due to absence of a tangible source of funding, the project has not taken off as yet. It was informed that the “Government has renewed its efforts to funding for this gigantic four lane, 390 plus km road, and a team of technical officers have been deployed to rework on the alignment”.
“We expect to have a final alignment by the end of June 2013, after which, we will be taking up with the Planning Commission of India”, informed the Commissioner and Secretary. It may be mentioned that during the Chief Minister-Deputy Chairman level meeting held on May 27, the matter was discussed at length and the Commission appreciated the need for having such a road. “We have requested that this iconic road be taken up as a national project”, the press note informed.
