The Bhandari and Changpang Area Aggrieved Villages Forum (AFR B&CA) has once again urged the Nagaland government to take immediate steps regarding the Foothills Road project, reaffirming its earlier stand of “No Foothills Road, No Oil Exploration.” The forum called for early issuance of the work order for the pending section of the road and stressed that timely action was necessary to address the concerns of the affected villages.
In a press statement, the forum said that representatives from aggrieved villages under Bhandari and Changpang areas held a general meeting at Longtsiri Village under Bhandari sub-division on February 7. During the meeting, several resolutions were adopted, including a renewed appeal to the government to proceed with the approved road alignment without delay.
The forum reiterated its support for the alignment beginning from Longayim Village and connecting to the Mangkolemba division in Mokokchung district through Tssori Old and New villages. It requested the government to issue the work order for the remaining portion of the project under Baghty division for Phase-II of the ongoing two-lane Foothills Road construction on or before March 31, 2026.
According to the forum, the alignment had already been approved based on a representation submitted by Lotha Hoho to the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges) on June 4, 2024. The organisation maintained that its demand was legitimate and in line with earlier agreements and public consultations.
The forum cautioned that failure to respond positively to the appeal could compel the public to adopt stronger democratic measures to press for their demands. At the same time, it stressed that the affected villages remain committed to peaceful and lawful means of engagement while seeking a solution to the issue.
AFR B&CA also urged the concerned department to ensure transparency in the implementation process by initiating an open e-tender system for the remaining works. It further appealed to the authorities to undertake cutting of a 40-foot-wide road, including the already cleared portions that had been voluntarily donated by landowners from the affected areas.
The forum stated that the meeting unanimously approved all points that had been forwarded to the Roads and Bridges department and resolved to continue extending cooperation to Lotha Hoho as well as the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee. It expressed hope that coordinated efforts between the government, community organisations, and local stakeholders would help complete the remaining phases of the Foothills Road project in a transparent and inclusive manner.
