Dimapur-Kohima rail line targeted for completion by 2029: NFR

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has set a target to complete the Dimapur (Dhansiri)–Kohima (Zubza) new railway line project by 2029, which will mark a historic milestone in connecting Nagaland’s capital to the national railway network for the first time. This was stated by NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma.
The 78.42-km-long project is considered strategically important for strengthening rail connectivity in the Northeast. It traverses Karbi Anglong district of Assam and Chumoükedima and Kohima districts of Nagaland. The project includes eight stations — Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Shokhuvi, Molvom, Pherima, Piphema, Mengujuma and Zubza- of which Dhansiri, Shokhuvi and Molvom have already been completed.
The alignment involves complex engineering works, including 20 tunnels with a total length of 31,169 metres, along with 27 major bridges and 149 minor bridges. NFR said substantial portions of these structures have already been completed. The project has been commissioned in phases so far.
The 16.5-km Dhansiri–Shokhuvi section was commissioned in October 2021, followed by the 14.64-km Shokhuvi–Molvom section in March 2025. At present, regular train services are operating from Shokhuvi, connecting it with Guwahati in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh, providing smoother and more reliable travel for passengers.
With the commissioning of Molvom station, CPRO said it has become the third major railway station in Nagaland. The station also began freight operations in September 2025.
NFR stated that the new rail link is expected to significantly improve access to education, healthcare, employment and markets, while reducing dependence on road transport by offering a comfortable, affordable and time-efficient travel alternative. Work on the remaining sections of the project is currently in progress.