With time running out before the extended period for modernization and redevelopment of Dimapur railway station expires there is a sense of foreboding among public at Dimapur that the Northeast Frontier Railways may just be given the alibi by the state government in not providing land encroached and withdraw bulk of the project.
In this regard, the Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has strongly criticized delays in the modernization of Dimapur Railway Station, despite the Central government’s approval and financial allocation for the project. In a press release, NTC president C. Pankathung and general secretary C. Onen Walling called on authorities to expedite the long-overdue transformation of the station into a world-class facility.
It may be mentioned that Nagaland Post has been highlighting the lack of significant development at Dimapur Railway Station, despite it being the second-highest revenue-generating station in the North East.
The council emphasized that discussions about upgrading the station have persisted for years, making it “high time” for authorities to act in the public interest.
With Dimapur Railway Station ranking as the second-highest revenue-generating station in the Northeast—only behind Guwahati—NTC highlighted the stark contrast between its economic significance and its lack of basic amenities.
NTC accused both the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) and the state government of ignoring commuter grievances for over a century. It questioned whether authorities were failing in their responsibilities, citing land encroachment as a key barrier to modernization.
The council expressed frustration over the railway authorities’ failure to assert their land ownership despite possessing the necessary documentation. If the land legally belongs to the Railways, NTC argued, inaction should not continue to hinder public welfare.
Adding to the controversy, NTC pointed out the state government’s contradictory stance of issuing land allotments (pattas) without first legally acquiring the land. This dispute, they claimed, has stalled development efforts for six to seven decades, to the detriment of commuters.
NTC did not mince words, calling the delay “a deliberate attempt” to prolong public suffering. The council demanded that NFR and the state government verify rightful land ownership through proper documentation and take decisive action on eviction or compensation.
Given Dimapur station’s role as a crucial transit hub for Upper Assam districts—including Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sibsagar, and Tinsukia—as well as for Nagaland and Manipur, NTC insisted that authorities could no longer ignore their responsibilities.
NTC urged upon the public to raise their voices to pressure officials into action. It warned that if authorities fail to act, they should step aside “on moral grounds” for those willing to serve the people’s interests.
With mounting frustration and public scrutiny, the ball is now in the court of the railway and state authorities to address longstanding grievances and ensure that Dimapur Railway Station finally receives the modernization it desperately needs.