March 11, Kohima: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has emphasized that securing land remains a key challenge for infrastructure development in Nagaland, including the long-delayed Foothill Road project.
Speaking in the assembly on Tuesday, he expressed surprise at reports that a Foothill Road Committee had issued an ultimatum to the state government to allocate funds by March 31.
He reminded that the project, which spans from Tizit to Khelma, was initiated by the state government itself, and urged landowners and communities to cooperate in providing land and allow the project to proceed.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, who is the Minister in charge of National Highways, shared that the central government has halted the declaration of new national highways.
However, he noted that the Centre is willing to declare the Foothill Road as a national highway, provided the state ensures a 30-meter stretch of land free of cost along the entire route.
Mr. Zeliang said that the project, worth 2,500 crore rupees, would be fully funded by the Centre once the required land and clearances are obtained.