
DIMAPUR, JUNE 7 (MExN): The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), along with various civil society organizations (CSOs), has expressed serious concern over the slow pace of work in the redevelopment of the Dimapur Railway Station into a world-class facility under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. In a meeting held on May 16 the CSOs resolved to extend their full support for the project and unanimously endorsed the NCD to take up the matter with concerned authorities to ensure timely execution.
Following this resolution, the NCD submitted representations to the Chief Engineer (Construction), NFR Maligaon, Assam, and the Commissioner & Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Nagaland, requesting them to expedite the project. These actions align with the consensus reached during a coordination meeting held on January 29, at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur.
To further assess the status of the project, the NCD delegation led by President Etsungmomo Kikon, General Secretary LK Peter Anal, and Co-convener of the Vigilance Committee Hotoshe Sumi held a discussion on May 21 with the Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADEr), Railway Station Dimapur.
The ADEr informed the delegation that although all architectural and design plans, including drawings for service buildings, residential quarters, and the water supply system, are ready—and even dismantling of old quarters and arrival of construction materials have begun—the single largest hurdle remains the unresolved issue of land encroachment within the project area. The ADEr cautioned that if the dispute between the encroachers/allottees and the State Government is not resolved soon, the construction company may be forced to halt or even abandon the project.
Despite having ample time to address the land encroachment issue, no progress has been made toward a resolution. The NCD believed that failure to resolve this matter could delay the project indefinitely or result in a downgraded version of the original plan, thereby depriving the public of a much-needed infrastructure boost.
The NCD reiterated that this project is of vital importance not only to the citizens of Dimapur or Nagaland, but also to neighbouring areas in Assam and Manipur. “The interests of the wider public must not be held hostage by private disputes,” the Council stated.
The council said that the upgraded Dimapur Railway Station will include an iconic terminal building designed for 50 years of use, a spacious roof plaza with modern amenities such as food courts, ATMs, children’s play areas, retail zones, and Divyangjan-friendly facilities. The station will also feature a green building design with solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and on-site waste management systems.
The NCD made a fervent appeal to individuals or groups with land allotments within the project area to come forward in the spirit of public service and cooperate with the government for an amicable settlement. “We must rise above personal interests for the sake of public good. Our future generations will not forgive us if we let this historic opportunity slip away due to inaction and selfishness,” the NCD stated.
The council also urged the Government of Nagaland and the Railway Authority to establish monthly coordination meetings to ensure better communication and monitoring, as decided in the earlier coordination meeting.