DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 12 (MExN): The Railway Contractors Union Nagaland (RCUN) today stated that the recent move of the North Frontier Railways (NFR) to shift the administrative Headquarters of Dimapur Railway Station from Lumding to Tinsukia has come as a “big blow to everyone, especially the daily commuters, Railway Employees and commercial houses among many other stakeholders in and around Dimapur.”
A press note from the RCUN said that this move would “not only jeopardize the economy of the region but also would have far reaching consequences on social, educational and demographical structure of Dimapur in relation to other parts of the country.”
The RCUN informed that in terms of revenue earning railway stations under the NFR, Dimapur Railway Station stands in the second place whereas in terms of Per-Capita Rail Income it stands “in the first place”. Dimapur also holds the position of being the second in terms of State-wise income.
It added that if Dimapur Railway Station is brought under Tinsukia there will be an undue delay in all commercial bookings of Business Racks under SLR Booking.
Other areas of concern pointed out by the RCUN included student concessions and separate coach bookings made for excursions and educational tours by educational institutions will become very difficult; special concession for Freedom Fighters which were always done from Lumding will become an issue of concern; transportation of local agricultural products will be seriously affected; any sick Railway Employee would have to travel a whooping 265 kms for serious health emergencies; on-duty staff now have to go to Tinsukia, halt there for a night and return on the next day etc.
It added that another serious issue would be in cases of railway accidents and derailments. “Will Dimpaur Railway Station wait for emergency relief services to arrive from as far as Tinsukia and abandon everything to make way for recovery vans to reach the accident spot only after a delay of around 10 hours or will it take necessary help and assistance from Lumding which is at an arm’s length?” the RCUN questioned.
It appealed to the State Governor, State Leaders including the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the Members of Parliament from Nagaland, NGO’s, etc “to act now and act tough…” The RCUN cautioned that if the NFR does not change its stance, the union would be compelled to “use all democratic means to bring the NFR on the right track.”
