Thannganing Hungyo
Dimapur | January 23
THINK LANDSLIDES. Think Dimapur-Kohima road. Now think of the railway line to be extended from Dimapur to Zubza, near Kohima. Think no further.
The ‘technical people’ will, rest assured, make a detailed alignment survey before tracks are laid. AK Jain, General Manager (Construction) of North East Frontier Railways, explained, “All the technical details will be considered.”
In a telephonic conversation with The Morung Express, he said fund allocation for survey works have already been allotted. The railway ministry has sanctioned Rs 850 crore for the implementation of the 40-km line and given a go-ahead for the final location survey for the project.
A problem that may crop up is the issue of landowners parting with their land to facilitate space for the railway line as Nagaland has a peculiar landholding system. But to tackle this, the Nagaland Government says it is committed to developmental works. Planning Minister and President of the Nagaland People’s Front, Dr Shürhozelie Liezetsu said once the survey works by the railways is completed, the government will give “all-out support.”
When queried on whether the extension of the railway line would encourage the growth of migrant population, the minister said there would not be such a big problem as such.
The railway track may not follow the route of national highway 39 due to difficulties in terrain and it will not take the Niuland way either, he said.
In the words of AK Sanwalka, General Manager (general administration), North East Frontier Railways, for development to come in Nagaland, “the people have to help us.”
