Rail tracks near the Dimapur Railway Station. (Morung File Photo)
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 13 (MExN): The Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has expressed grave concern over the ongoing neglect of Dimapur Railway Station, as highlighted in a recent report published by Nagaland Post on January 13. The report sheds light on the poor treatment of the station by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and the state government, which has left the station in a state of disrepair and underutilization.
Established in 1903, Dimapur Railway Station stands as the second-highest revenue earner for the NFR in the Northeast region, yet it continues to be largely ignored, much to the dissatisfaction of the people of Nagaland. The station handles between 7,000 and 8,000 passengers daily post-COVID-19, but remains underdeveloped, with none of the 40+ long-distance trains passing through the station originating from Dimapur. Notably, significant trains such as the Jan Shatabdi, BG Express, and Nagaland Express have been shifted to other locations under questionable circumstances.
The issue has been further exacerbated by ongoing redevelopment and encroachment problems. According to the report, a proposed Rs 283 crore redevelopment plan aimed at modernizing the station into a world-class facility is now at risk. Nearly 30 hectares of NFR land have been encroached upon, and the lack of coordination between NFR and the state government has only delayed the resolution of these issues. The absence of a double railway track has also led to inefficiencies, causing delays and mandatory stops for slower trains.
The DNSU has called for immediate action from both NFR and the state government to address the land encroachment issue and ensure that the necessary land is made available for the redevelopment project. The union also demanded that long-distance trains be reintroduced from Dimapur to meet the growing demand of passengers, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Rs 283 crore redevelopment plan.
In a statement, the DNSU urged all stakeholders to unite and demand prompt action to prevent further neglect of Dimapur Railway Station. "The future of Dimapur Railway Station depends on our collective efforts," the union stated.
