Bishnu Bhattacharjee
Chairman, Linguistic Minority Forum of Nagaland (LMFN)
The railway network connecting Dimapur, Guwahati, Tinsukia and other important destinations of the Northeast is not merely a means of transportation; it is a lifeline for lakhs of people. It connects the people of Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Mizoram with Guwahati and the rest of India, providing access to healthcare, education, employment, business opportunities and onward rail and air connectivity.
Thousands of students, patients, office-goers, businesspersons and ordinary passengers depend on these railway services every day. For patients, reaching Guwahati early in the morning can be crucial for timely medical consultation and treatment. Students also require convenient connectivity to reach educational institutions, examinations and other academic commitments. For many passengers, Guwahati is also an important point from where they connect to long-distance trains and flights to other parts of the country.
However, the present condition of some railway coaches operating on these routes and the lack of convenient train services are matters of serious concern.
A Recent Personal Experience
I recently travelled from Guwahati to Dimapur by Train No. 15603, Ledo–Guwahati Intercity Express, in AC 2-Tier, Coach No. A1, Berth No. 3. The train departed Guwahati at approximately 11:30 PM on 11 August 2026, and the journey ended at around 5:00 PM on 12 August 2026. The coach was full.
Throughout the journey, the air-conditioning system was not functioning, the fans were not working and the lighting was inadequate. Since the coach was fully occupied and the windows remained closed, the atmosphere became extremely suffocating.
Initially, We brought the matter to the attention of TTE Shri Amarjeet Medhi. Other passengers also jointly complained about the same problem. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests, the issue was not resolved.
After the train crossed Lumding, and when we received no satisfactory assistance, a written complaint was made in the official complaint book. The complaint was recorded in Complaint Book No. 287, Page No. 1, dated 12 August 2026.
The fact that passengers had to undertake such a long journey without functioning AC, fans and adequate ventilation is deeply disappointing. At one point, passengers experienced difficulty in breathing because of the suffocating conditions.
This is not simply a question of comfort. In a fully occupied AC coach, proper ventilation, electricity and functioning essential facilities are matters of basic passenger safety and dignity. When a passenger pays for an AC 2-Tier journey, there is a legitimate expectation that the basic facilities provided in the coach will function properly.
LMFN Had Already Raised the Connectivity Issue
This concern becomes even more significant because the Linguistic Minority Forum of Nagaland (LMFN) had already approached the Railway authorities regarding inadequate connectivity between Dimapur and Guwahati.
On 25 March 2026, LMFN submitted a memorandum to Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway, Maligaon, Guwahati, raising an urgent public demand for improved railway connectivity between Dimapur and Guwahati.
One of our principal demands was the introduction of a daily morning train from Dimapur, preferably departing between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM and reaching Guwahati between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Such a service would be of immense benefit to thousands of passengers, particularly students and patients. Guwahati is the principal gateway to the Northeast and provides access to major hospitals, educational institutions, business centres, long-distance trains and flights.
A patient travelling from Nagaland should not have to lose an entire day simply because there is no convenient morning train. Similarly, students travelling for examinations, admissions and academic purposes need timely and reliable connectivity.
The memorandum also pointed out that a similar practical morning service had existed earlier, and its discontinuation or rescheduling has caused considerable hardship to passengers. LMFN therefore appealed for the restoration of a convenient morning schedule.
Dimapur Deserves Better Railway Connectivity
Dimapur is one of the most important railway stations serving Nagaland and the wider Northeast. Given its strategic importance and the large number of passengers travelling through it, Dimapur deserves adequate, convenient and reliable railway connectivity with Guwahati and mainland India.
In the memorandum, LMFN also demanded the reintroduction of Brahmaputra Mail, Train No. 14055, via Dimapur, which had previously served as an important rail link for the region.
The Forum further proposed a dedicated daily commuter train between Dimapur and Guwahati, particularly to serve office-goers and daily passengers. Such a service would improve regional mobility and strengthen economic and social integration in the Northeast.
“Students and Patients Cannot Wait”
For many passengers, railway travel is not a matter of comfort or convenience. It is a necessity.
A patient travelling to Guwahati may have a scheduled medical consultation or treatment. A student may have an examination, admission process or academic commitment. Another passenger may need to catch a connecting train or flight.
Time is therefore extremely important.
An early-morning Dimapur–Guwahati train would provide a practical solution to many of these problems and would significantly benefit the people of Nagaland and neighbouring areas.
Why Is There Still No Response?
Despite submitting the memorandum directly to the General Manager on 25 March 2026, there has been no meaningful response so far.
This raises a genuine public question: “Are the concerns of passengers from Nagaland and the Northeast receiving the attention they deserve?”
At a time when India is rapidly expanding its infrastructure and moving towards the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”, the people of Nagaland should not feel that they are being left behind.
Why should Nagaland be treated stepmotherly in India's development journey?
The people of Nagaland are equal citizens of India. They deserve reliable, safe, modern and dignified public transportation, just like citizens elsewhere in the country.
The Northeast is not a peripheral region. It is an integral part of India's development story.
LMFN's Appeal to the Railway Authorities
I respectfully appeal to the Ministry of Railways, Northeast Frontier Railway and the concerned authorities to give serious consideration to the genuine demands of passengers and take immediate steps to:
1. Examine the passenger complaint recorded in Complaint Book No. 287, Page No. 1, dated 12 August 2026, concerning Train No. 15603.
2. Conduct an inquiry into the failure of AC, fans, lighting and ventilation facilities during the journey.
3. Ensure proper inspection and maintenance of coaches before every long-distance journey.
4. Ensure that passenger complaints are promptly addressed while trains are in operation.
5. Take an early decision on the LMFN memorandum dated 25 March 2026.
6. Introduce a daily morning train from Dimapur to Guwahati, preferably departing between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM and reaching Guwahati between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
7. Consider the reintroduction of Brahmaputra Mail, Train No. 14055, via Dimapur.
8. Introduce a dedicated daily commuter service between Dimapur and Guwahati for office-goers and other daily passengers.
9. Improve railway connectivity towards Silchar and other important destinations, particularly keeping students and patients in mind.
10. Ensure comfort, safety and security of travelers and provide a clear and timely response to the memorandum submitted by LMFN.
Railway connectivity is not merely about transportation. It connects patients with hospitals, students with education, workers with employment, businesses with markets and people with opportunities.
If India is to achieve the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”, development must reach every region and every section of society.
The Northeast must not be left behind.
Nagaland does not seek special treatment. It seeks fair, reliable and efficient railway services that enable its people to participate fully in India's development journey.
“The Northeast is not at the margins of India’s development story. It is an essential part of it.”
The people of Nagaland and the Northeast deserve better railway services, better connectivity and better passenger facilities.
