Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 24
Rail connectivity between Dimapur and Kohima will soon become a reality and survey works have already begun along the 72 km stretch to meet the deadline by 2012.
Speaking to the press, Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding Division M.S. Sharma on Saturday confirmed that the project, already approved at a cost of Rs 8 crore would add a new look to the Dimapur railway station while also improving connectivity between the two significant cities in the state.
Considering that road transport has been the only means available between the two most populated hubs, the rail connectivity would be of great advantage in terms of saving time, money and offering added comfort.
The railway board has also approved trains with 24 coaches and subsequently platform extension work has begun in eight major stations between Guwahati and Dimapur at a cost of Rs 2.5 crores. At present most trains comprise of 18 to 21 coaches. With the introduction of trains with 24 coaches, and the Brahmaputra Mail chosen to christen this extension, passenger congestion would be eased to a large extent.
The Dimapur Railway Station too, also neglected for long, is part of the DRM’s agenda and he pointed out and that a new façade was in the offing with a package of Rs 3.2 crore. “The Dimapur Station has been declared as a role model station by the railways and I assure you that the station circulating area would be the best in the Northeast after completion.”
The platforms, foot over bridge, station façade will also have a new look and this is expected to be completed by 2008. However, the work can be finished by the year end if the people come forward to support and the rain Gods have mercy on the developmental activities, the DRM asserted.
Nagaland, despite having only 10 km of railway tracks, and mostly along Dimapur is significant because of its service to two states.
The five minute stoppage time of the Jan Shatabdi is likely to be increased to 10 minutes and the existing quota for Dimapur and Diphu also expected to be hiked in order to facilitate the growing number of passengers from these stations. Quotas from other stations where passengers are fewer in number will be decreased to balance this need.
Putting all speculation to rest on security measures at the new PRS building, Sharma said that the RPF barracks would be stationed in the circulating area of the new PRS.
A proposal from this reporter for an additional AC 3-tier coach on the BG Express was also taken up in right earnest by the DRM with an assurance that the matter would be looked into. At present, the BG Express has only one AC 3-tier coach and this often causes a lot of convenience to passengers, particularly on Sundays, when the Shatabdi does not ply.
The overhead Coach Guiding Systems (CGS) which generally helps passengers to locate the position of the coach on the platform are non-existent at Dimapur station and would soon be installed to guide passengers, the DRM said.
Appealing to the people to come forward and support the railways in its’ endeavor, the DRM said that illegal encroachers should leave railway land and not create unnecessary problems that would deprive the common man of the facilities and benefits.
