Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUG 29 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has said the State government would pursue the slow progress of Dimapur (Dhansiri)-Kohima (Zubza) new railway line project railway project, even as the estimated project cost has reportedly escalated sharply from Rs 850 crore to Rs 6,663 crore.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an event here on Saturday, Rio was asked about the status of the project and the findings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) 2022, which reportedly indicated that only around 25% of the work had been completed despite the substantial escalation in the project cost.
“Government will pursue it,” Rio said, reiterating that the State government was aware of the concerns surrounding the progress of the project and would follow up on the matter.
The chief minister, however, pointed to the difficult geological conditions in Nagaland as one of the factors that could be posing challenges to companies executing major infrastructure projects in the State.
“These companies coming from outside, they don’t know the geology of our land, so they are facing problems, we have to appreciate that also,” he said.
Rio’s remarks came amid concerns over the pace of work and the substantial increase in the estimated cost of the railway project, which is considered important for improving connectivity to the State capital.
The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report revealed that the cost of the Dimapur-Kohima new line railway project escalated more than sevenfold from Rs. 850 crore to Rs. 6,663.20 crore by May 2022, while physical progress stayed below 25%.