Dimapur Rly Stn. to be world class by 2024

As part of the plan by Indian Railways to revamp several railway stations across India into world-class stations, Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) has also included Dimapur Railway station to be part of the redevelopment plan.
On Monday, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced that as many as 200 railway stations across the country will get a facelift with modern amenities.
“The government has prepared a master plan to revamp 200 railway stations. Overhead spaces will be created on the stations which will have world-class facilities including waiting lounges and food courts, besides amusement facilities for children,” the minister said at the foundation stone laying ceremony for a coach maintenance factory at the Aurangabad railway station in Maharashtra.
In this regard, NFR additional general manager Rahul Gautam visited Dimapur station to inspect the area and hold meeting with officials.
Talking to media persons at Dimapur railway station VIP lounge, Gautam said the purpose of his visit was to discuss about the upcoming plan regarding the location, land requirement etc. He said the target has been set to transform Dimapur station into a world-class station by December 2024.
When asked about the land requirement, Gautam said NFR has engaged a consultant firm to prepare the master plan. “Once the consultant gives the report, then everything will get settled,” he said.
Though the target has been set to complete the project by December 2024, Gautam said it would depend on the final report to be prepared and submitted by the consultant.
He said the key feature was to have an airport-like world class station where arrivals and departures would be streamlined in separate areas unlike the present situation where entry and exit points are located at the same area.
For revenue generation, he said the railways also plan to create commercial spaces, where public can utilize the facilities like multiplexes etc. as in normal shopping areas, and not only for travelling purposes. However, he said the consultant will also study the commercial viability of the station.
Nevertheless, Gautam said the objective of railways to have a world-class station is to meet the demand of the public in the long run.
When asked about the cost for the project, Gautam said only after a detail plan is prepared the estimated cost can made known. He, however, said that since Government of India has earmarked to make Dimapur a world-class station, whatever be the cost, it would not be an issue.
When asked about the issue of land encroachment, Gautam wished not to comment since the issue was in the court and subjudiced.
He disclosed that there were around 22 cases pending before the court related with encroachment. “Railways have got the documents. The matter is subjudiced and it is in the court. The court will decide whose land it belongs to,”Gautam said.
“Once the world-class station is made, it will be a great contribution for the people of Nagaland. It is everybody’s responsibility to make sure that the station becomes world-class,” Gautam said.
When asked about extension of trains introduced for Dimapur to other parts of Assam, Gautam said trains cannot be restricted to one particular area. Since railways have limited budget, he said railways have to operate trains to cover large part of the country.