URGES CENTRE TO TAKE UP DIMAPUR-TIZIT RLY LINE URGENTLY
Lok Sabha MP of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio highlighted the condition of railway services in Nagaland in particular and the north east in general in his speech during discussion on demands for grants of the ministry of railways, Wednesday.
Rio described the enhancement of allocation to the north east at Rs.69,029.89 crore as encouraging but lamented that the pace of work of the 88-kilometer Dimapur-Kohima railway project was slow as it was learnt that only 26 kilometers could be completed in two years’ time. Rio wanted an immediate survey done so as to avoid time overrun and const escalation.
He also emphasised on making Dimapur railway station, the second highest revenue earning station in the entire north east , that caters to upper Assam, army and para-military forces and Manipur, be made into a “smart station and provide all the facilities and amenities for passengers and also for loading and unloading in the station.” Rio also made a strong plea for taking up the Dimapur-Tizit railway line urgently and on top priority. He said the line runs through the foothills, which are fertile and rich in minerals and having huge oil and coal deposits.
He also reminded that the 257 Km-stretch Dimapur to Tizit line touches five districts such as Dimapur, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon and which was approved by the Railway Board in 2013-14 under item 21 and also entered in the Pink Book of the Railway.
Rio also expressed satisfaction over tenders floated for the development and line alignment from Dimapur to Tizit with a token budget of Rs.1 crore and subsequent Rs.3.85 crore for two years.
He said the project was expected to be completed in 720 days and when completed, would elevate the state’s economy and provide development benefit to the people. He focussed on the Tuli to Tuli town BG line covering only 9 to 10 kilometers and questioned why it was shelved when Nagaland has only 12 kilometers of railway network. He urged upon the railway ministry to take up the matter urgently.
Rio also urged that the Amguri, Naginimora, Furkating and Baghty Valley work should also be taken up on priority since it passed through Nagaland and which could enhance and develop the economy.
He also reminded that as part of Look East and Act East Policy, the originally proposed and planned Trans Asian Rail Network should not be abandoned. He said the actual plan route was from Dimapur-Kohima, Senapati-Imphal and Moreh to South East Asia that run parallel to the National Highway.
Rio said the proposed plan was abandoned and work for the railway started from Dimapur to Zubza without reaching Kohima.
The MP suggested that the original plan should not be ignored though he was not against the present work. However, Rio said the ongoing work from Jiribam to Tupul and then to Imphal was going on a rapid pace but has no habitation and was unfavourable terrain.
Rio said that the Trans Asian Rail Network was intended to move forward implement the Look East and Act East Policy to penetrate the North East so that people enjoyed the benefit. Rio however reiterated that there was no objection to the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal road but that the original plan should not be abandoned but taken up as top priority. He expressed the hope that the increase in the budget allocation for NE would help expand the railway network to cover difficult areas including Nagaland.