NFR officials during a press conference in Dimapur on September 22. (Morung Photo)
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High Powered Committee formed to identify railway land encroachers
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 22
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) today, noting that it is already aware of the state's requirements and demands, assured that they are committed to meet all of it. Addressing the media at Dimapur Railway Station, General Manager of NFR, Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said that while Dimapur has been connected with rail network for more than a century, as per the Government of India's latest policy - Act East, NFR is endeavouring to connect all capital cities in the Northeastern region. It maintained that railways has now reached Sokhuvi, and plans to connect the capital Kohima by 2026.
With an estimated budget of Rs 283 crore earmarked for re-development and modernisation purposes, the Dimapur Railway Station has been chosen among 508 stations to be upgraded to world-class level under the Centre’s ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme,’ which includes 56 stations from the North-East region. Briefing on it, Shrivastava said that each state has been chosen depending not only on the footfall or traffic, but also on the importance of the cities in various states.
On the constraints of land encroachments, the DRM of Lumding, Prem Ranjan Kumar mentioned that a High Powered Committee has been formed by the state to clearly identify the encroachers. For evicting encroachers, first they have to be identified as encroachers. While informing that the State Government is now in the process of submitting a report, he noted that they would need the help of the State Government in this matter.
When queried if the NFR is satisfied with the assistance given the State Government in regard to the eviction of land encroachers, he answered that so far, the efforts are in the positive direction, and the process has just begun. While the sanctions and funds are in place, the General Manager said that it was not an easy task to execute the work immediately, considering difficulties that are bound to crop up.
On this line, he appealed to all stakeholders for cooperation so that execution may be enhanced faster. "Otherwise, we may take a really long time," he stated, while reiterating the need for cooperation and mutual understanding from all sections of the public as well.
As per the railway boundaries and records set in place, the NFR officials said that those who are occupying the railway land needs to be vacated, in order for the work to begin. While maintaining that land encroachment is only one among the many issues while developing a world-class station, Shrivastava also said that the adjoining area need to be developed first. Only then the whole picture will be in place, which includes parking facilities, lifts, escalators and other amenities inside the station, he added.
On the limited ticketing issue at the Dimapur Railway Station, the NFR officials assured to look into it. It may be noted that NFR officials took stock of the progress of Lanka, Lumding and Dimapur railway stations, which are to be revamped. The officials also held a meeting with traders, businessmen and different stakeholders from Nagaland.
The meeting was aimed to boost efficient logistics and transportation in the state and also enable more products from Nagaland to reach different parts of the country and beyond. Proposals and suggestions were exchanged for further improvement of terminals and ease of doing business.
