Dimapur-Kohima rail project: Molvom–Pherima section by Oct 2026; state capital by Dec 2029

Dimapur, September 28 (MExN): Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, will have to wait until December 2029 for rail connectivity, as per the latest timeline for the Dimapur–Kohima rail project.

The 82.5 km project spans 2.75 km in Assam and 79.75 km in Nagaland, with eight stations: Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Shokhuvi, Molvom, Pherima, Piphema, Menguzuma and Zubza.

A Backgrounders feature by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on railway development in the North-East informed that the Molvom–Pherima section (14.09 km) is scheduled to open in October 2026, while the final Pherima–Zubza stretch (37.57 km) is expected by December 2029.

The project, sanctioned as a National Project in 2007, has faced repeated delays. The original completion target set by the DoNER Ministry in 2011 was March 2015. In 2019, the Railway Ministry informed Parliament that construction was under way, with completion expected three years after land acquisition.

Progress so far includes commissioning of the Dhansiri–Shokhuvi section in October 2021 and inauguration of the first passenger service, the Donyi Polo Express, in August 2022. The Shokhuvi–Molvom section was completed in March 2025.

Earlier, NFR officials had projected Molvom station by March–April 2023 and full completion by 2026. However, following a review in November 2024, the deadline was extended to December 2029.