Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio flagging off the Nagaland Express a train service from Dimapur to Kamakhya on November 15 at Dimapur Railway station also seen are GM. NF Railway Keshav Chandra and M.P (R.S) Khekiho Zhimomi (far L). (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur, November 15 (MExN): Amidst celebrations that Nagaland has now her own train to Guawhati, Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio today expressed unhappiness that landowners and their search for high land compensation rates continue to be a hurdle for development.
During flagging-off ceremony of the new Dimapur-Guwahati train, the Dimapur-Kamakhya Nagaland Express, an unusually frank chief minister called the demands of landowners, ‘irrational and exorbitant.’ He queried all in concern to ponder over the benefit of implementing a project the cost of implementation of which is higher than the cost of the project itself.
“Your rates and demands are exorbitant, high and unreasonable. If land rate is more than the cost of the project (who would invest in Nagaland)” Neiphiu Rio said of the landowners. “
Advising landowners against obstructing development initiatives, the chief minister implied heavily that bulwarks of progress –such as railway links or air connectivity – are not for one person or community of area but of a corresponding whole people and region.
Even if a project is ‘a nothing’ (small), Rio said, “If we don’t take it, we gain nothing,” the CM said. “I appeal not to put your interest in the way of development of others. I appeal to the landowners to make a small sacrifice for the common man. Airlines have become very costly but railway is still in the reach of the common man,” Rio said.
Members of parliament Khekiho Zhimomi and CM Chang, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee SI Jamir, Chief Secretary Lalthara and other government leaders and railway officials were among those present during the flag-off ceremony.
The Dimapur-Kamakhya
Nagaland Express
Now that the Dimapur-to-Kamakhya train is operational passengers from Nagaland can heave a sigh of relief. (‘Kamakhya’ simply means outskirts; in this case outskirt station of proper Guwahati city). The chief minister flagged-off the new train service at around 2:45 PM from Dimapur railway station where a small inaugural function was held to mark the occasion.
Member of Lok Sabha CM Chang termed the days as “biggest day of the Nagas” and “everybody filled with happy and joy.” MP Khekiho Zhimomi and SI Jamir also spoke during the inauguration.
The Dimapur-Kamakhya Nagaland Express would be leaving Dimapur at 6:30 AM and reaching Kamakhya (Guwhati) at 12:00 AM. The return journey of the train would be at 11:30 PM and reach Dimapur early in the morning at 5:20 AM. There would also be several stoppages at various commercial areas.
The train has five general class coaches, four sleepers, one 2-tire AC coach, one 3-tire AC coach and two SLR.
Dimapur-Guwahati daily train Nagaland Express operational
“Don’t put your interest in the way of development of others,” Neiphiu Rio said during his address. “I tell you, we as citizens have to render our support; we have to receive. I appeal to the landowners not to obstruct development.” Although not stating it directly, the chief minister was making an obvious reference to the current deadlock in Dimapur over land compensation rates due to which the proposed Kohima-Dimapur railway link is in danger of being abandoned. “Your rates and demands are exorbitant, high and unreasonable. If land rate is more than the cost of the project (who would invest in Nagaland)” Neiphiu Rio said of the landowners. “
Advising landowners against obstructing development initiatives, the chief minister implied heavily that bulwarks of progress –such as railway links or air connectivity – are not for one person or community of area but of a corresponding whole people and region.
Even if a project is ‘a nothing’ (small), Rio said, “If we don’t take it, we gain nothing,” the CM said. “I appeal not to put your interest in the way of development of others. I appeal to the landowners to make a small sacrifice for the common man. Airlines have become very costly but railway is still in the reach of the common man,” Rio said.
Members of parliament Khekiho Zhimomi and CM Chang, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee SI Jamir, Chief Secretary Lalthara and other government leaders and railway officials were among those present during the flag-off ceremony.
The Dimapur-Kamakhya
Nagaland Express
Now that the Dimapur-to-Kamakhya train is operational passengers from Nagaland can heave a sigh of relief. (‘Kamakhya’ simply means outskirts; in this case outskirt station of proper Guwahati city). The chief minister flagged-off the new train service at around 2:45 PM from Dimapur railway station where a small inaugural function was held to mark the occasion.
Member of Lok Sabha CM Chang termed the days as “biggest day of the Nagas” and “everybody filled with happy and joy.” MP Khekiho Zhimomi and SI Jamir also spoke during the inauguration.
The Dimapur-Kamakhya Nagaland Express would be leaving Dimapur at 6:30 AM and reaching Kamakhya (Guwhati) at 12:00 AM. The return journey of the train would be at 11:30 PM and reach Dimapur early in the morning at 5:20 AM. There would also be several stoppages at various commercial areas.
The train has five general class coaches, four sleepers, one 2-tire AC coach, one 3-tire AC coach and two SLR.
