Kohima: Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) S Supongmeren Jamir has issued a clarification regarding compensation concerns related to the proposed Foothills Road project, following reports circulating on social media questioning the validity of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by 14 tribal hohos.
In a statement, Jamir said claims that compensation for fully damaged properties would be provided only after approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways are “baseless and misleading”.
He said the proposed Foothills Road, envisaged as a Trans-Nagaland Highway, is a key infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity and promoting economic growth across the state.
He added that the Government of Nagaland has already submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways seeking approval to upgrade the Foothills Road into a National Highway, with an estimated project cost of about ₹3,284 crore.
Jamir urged the state government and concerned departments to take proactive steps to restore the confidence of all stakeholders, including Foothills Committee members, tribal hohos and affected landowners.
He also emphasised the need for constructive dialogue and consensus-building among stakeholders to address concerns related to the project.
Highlighting the importance of coordination, the MP said bridging the gap between the state government, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and landowners would be crucial for the successful implementation of the project while ensuring that the interests of citizens are protected and the concerns of affected communities are addressed.
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