Foundation stone for a long-awaited 90.50km Dhansiri (Dimapur)-Zubza (Kohima) new BG line was finally laid by Union Minister of Railways, Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, at Dimapur Railway Station complex on Monday in the presence of Nagaland governor, P.B. Acharya, and chief minister Nagaland, T.R. Zeliang and minister of state for railways, Rajen Gohain.
Declared as a national project in 2007, the project would be executed in three phases. Phase-I involves construction of Dhansiri-Sukhovi (16km) section, phase-II involves Sukhovi-Khaibong (30km) section and final phase involves Khaibong-Zubza (45km) section. The first phase is slated to finish by 2018, the second phase by December 2019 and entire project by March 2020. According to the Indian Railways, as per earlier plan, the Dimapur-Zubza (Kohima) new BG line was planned as an 88-km long project in 2007-08. However, later the alignment was modified for the construction of the line from Dhansiri-Zubza via Sukhovi, making it 90.50-km long.
The new BG line will take off from the existing Rail line at Dhansiri Railway station in Karbi Anglong District, 19-km short of Dimapur and would each Zubza, which is 16-km short of Kohima.
Construction of this railways line would bring the capital city of Kohima into Broad Gauge Railways Map of India.
Due to very steep gradient beyond Zubza, the Indian Railways said the line has been terminated here, short of Kohima. This new line will have a speed of 100 kmph and will touch Dimapur and Kohima districts of Nagaland.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony, the Union minister of railways, Suresh Prabhu, expressed happiness at being a participant in bringing connectivity between different geography.
“More than geography, it is important to bring together different aspirations of the people and to fulfil the long cherished dreams of the citizens by connecting the capital of Nagaland to Delhi,” said Prabhu.
He said that the government was in the process of ensuring development of Northeast states at a faster pace, admitting that Northeast has lacked development for too long.
The minister assured to complete the project on time, if possible ahead of time by 2019. He also informed that railway department would be using higher technology for monitoring the project.
“A comprehensive plan on how to meet the aspirations of local people of Northeast region to the economic potential is in the process of finalization and very soon it will be presented to all the chief ministers “, he said.
Prabhu expressed optimism that better education, health services could be availed by the people through railway connectivity.
Referring to a package to promote tourism in the northeast states, including Sikkim, the minister assured that the railways would provide the infrastructure, which could create wealth in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Nagaland governor, P.B. Acharya, expressed regret that despite the abundance of rich natural beauty and resources, the state did not have proper connectivity.
“Though a Governor I am finding myself difficult to reach even Delhi when others can reach USA in 12 -13 hours,” Acharya said.
Harping on the potentials of handloom, handicraft, agriculture, horticulture, the governor said connectivity could bring vibrancy to the economy of the state.
He suggested forming a citizen’s committee to supervise the problems during the construction of the railway project in Nagaland.
Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang, described the day as “a red letter day” in the history of Nagaland and said that the railway line would greatly ease the movement of goods and passengers to the state capital.
He assured that the state government would do its part in assisting and facilitating for smooth implementation of the project.
Zeliang also apprised the railways minister on the bigger railway project initiated for Nagaland to run from Dimapur to Tizit. He requested the minister to push through this project in the cabinet committee on economic affairs and for ensuring early completion of the final location survey.
The chief minister also requested the minister for re-examining and reviving the abandoned Dhansiri-Karong Railway project.
Zeliang made an appeal to the people of Nagaland, specially the land owners along the new railway line, to cooperate with the NF Railways and also to assist and facilitate the contractors and their workers so the project could be completed within the stipulated time.
Others who spoke at the programme included union minister of state for railways, Rajen Gohain, member, engineering railway board, AK Mittal, and NF Railway general manager, Chahatey Ram.
A host of ministers, parliamentary secretaries, chief secretary of Nagaland, Officials from Railway family, district administration, police and public attended the programme.
Zeliang writes to Prabhu for upgradation
Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang has written a letter to union Railways minister, Prabhakar Prabhu highlighting genuine and urgent issues concerning Dimapur railway station. In a letter, Zeliang pointed out the lack of adequate facilities in Dimapur railway station, being the only station in the state, which also caters to Manipur. He also reminded of his earlier letter dated April 29, 2016 highlighting the same issues.
Zeliang listed the following action points that need immediate consideration of the Railways for up-gradation of Dimapur Railway station—a. Rajdhani Express and Jan Shatabdi Express stoppage at Dimapur at present is only 5 minutes, which may be increased to 10 minutes, b. Dimapur Railway Station is having only 3 PRS counter, which may be increased to 4, c. Cloak Room may also be provided at the Railway Station, d. Cold Water Pot may also be provided for passengers during summer season, e. Shatabdi Express between Dimapur and Guwahati should be made to run exclusively between the two locations and not extend it to Jorhat, f. Additional A2 coach may kindly be provided in the Rajdhani Express as the seat/berth allotted for Dimapur is insufficient, and most of the reservations are found utilised by security forces. This will greatly help solving the problem of those who have to undertake long journeys especially to places like Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore etc. via Guwahati, g. There being only one platform for Dimapur Railway Station having roof covering, two more platforms with roof covering facilities be provided, h. Durondo Express to Howrah junction to originate from Dimapur Station, and the departure time fixed preferably in the morning hours so as to reach Howrah junction in the morning and i. Upgradation of the General facilities of the existing Dimapur Railway Station may be done.
RCUN: Raliway Contractors Union Nagaland (RCUN) on Monday also submitted a memorandum to the railways minister for up gradation.
Among the points listed out, the union urged upon the minister to relocate arrival/departure of goods trains and trains ferrying army personnel to Rangapahar crossing, in order to ease rush and overcrowding at the station. RCUN said it would be more convenient for Army personnel since the main Army cantonment was adjacent to the Rangapahar crossing.
While for goods trains, it also urged the minister to relocate the FCI godwon at Rangapahar crossing for easy access through by-pass road linked with NH-29 directly. (Full text on p-6)
MCD: Muslim Council of Dimapur (MCD) has urged Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu for introduction of an inter-state train from Dibrugarh to Agartala via Dimapur, which woule also benefit the passengers of Manipur .
In a memorandum to Prabhu in Dimapur on Monday, MCD said that a large section of people from Barak Valley districts and Tripura have been staying in Upper Assam districts, Nagaland and Manipur, but there is no direct train service to Barak valley or Tripura from these places.
Therefore, MCD appealed to the Railway Minister to consider their demand for a direct train from Dibrugarh in Upper Assam to Tripura via Dimapur for convenient of the passengers of Upper Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. Notably, the MCD had also submitted its first memorandum to Railway Minister through Divisional Railway Manager (DRM). Lumding railway division on February 2, 2016 for a direct train from Dibrugarh to Tripura.