Nagaland: Encroachment hurdle to Dimapur railway station redevelopment

Redevelopment of Dimapur railway station (established in October 1903) to a world class station with Rs. 283 crore sanctioned under Amrit Bharat Scheme in 2024. The scheme meant for transformation of the station with execution originally targeted to begin by March 2025, appears to have hit a roadblock with regard to clearance of unauthorized occupation of land from 30 Hectares of the total of 53.8 Hectares. Despite funds being sanctioned and plans finalised, ground-level progress remains stalled due to unresolved land disputes and encroachments spanning several decades.
The current problems began to accumulate since the 60s and despite sustained media attention, warnings by civil society organisations and repeated assurances, the state authorities and NFR had woken up late and act belatedly in 2023-24.
Officials said the station’s upgradation has therefore been proceeding only in fragmented pockets where land is free from legal or physical encumbrances.
Since 1995 onwards, Nagaland Post has consistently reported on the problem- flagging neglect by the state government on land issues and the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) on other aspects such as ticket quota and instead of introducing more trains at Dimapur railway station, the NFR has re-located three trains from Dimapur. It may be noted that Dimapur has been the second highest revenue earner for the NFR.
Apart from residential encroachments, officials highlighted the presence of three Mandirs located within the railway station periphery as another critical impediment. These structures, officials said, obstruct key components of the approved master plan. “These religious structures are situated in strategically important locations earmarked for major infrastructure works, making it impossible for the railways to proceed with several crucial aspects of the project”, the official stated.
The official further explained that relocation or removal of these structures would significantly ease implementation of the integrated redevelopment plan. However, the issue has become legally complex as the state government has reportedly issued land pattas in the name of the Mandirs. Railway sources informed that the first phase of construction has commenced, with works presently confined to areas where land ownership is undisputed. This phase primarily involves construction of railway offices and residential quarters, which officials described as preparatory and foundational infrastructure necessary before rolling out passenger-oriented facilities.
However, officials admitted that full-scale execution of the world-class station project has been rendered virtually impossible due to extensive and long-standing encroachments, particularly in high-value zones earmarked for passenger concourses, approach roads, circulation areas, parking facilities and future expansion.
Further, railway officials pointed out that rows of residential houses constructed directly on, or alarmingly close to, railway tracks pose serious safety risks and structural challenges. Many of these structures fall along corridors earmarked for double tracking and additional railway lines, which are critical for enhancing train frequency and capacity.
Railway officials from NFR maintained that if the entire railway land is cleared, redevelopment could immediately gain momentum, allowing simultaneous execution of modern station buildings, upgraded passenger amenities, approach roads, parking facilities and allied infrastructure.
Officials reiterated that the responsibility for eviction and resolution of land issues rests solely with the state government and district administration, as the railways are legally constrained in cases involving state-issued pattas.
In May 2025, NFR officials candidly informed the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) that unless the needed land is reclaimed, the Rs. 283 crore project risks being reduced to superficial cosmetic upgrades and the majority of the fund could be utilized for other stations in Assam.
NFR has been downgrading of Dimapur since many years despite having a huge number of passengers approximately around 7000 to 8000 according to Railway officials at Dimapur.
Tickets in Dimapur are grossly inadequate to the demand and majority of travelers have to purchase starting point from Bokajan or Furkating etc.