Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) has expressed deep concern over neglect of Dimapur Railway Station established in 1903 due to step-motherly treatment by Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) and the apathy of the state government that left it to “suffer from inaction and disregard(and) is unacceptable to the people of Nagaland.”
DNSU has reacted to the January 13 edition of Nagaland Post which highlighted the fact that despite being the second highest revenue earner for the NFR, trains emanating at Dimapur such as Jan Shatabdi, BG Express and Nagaland Express were shifted to Assam that not even one single train emanates or originates at Dimapur
Citing reports in Nagaland Post, DNSU president Hinoto P. Aomi and education secretary Kevin Gonmei stated Dimapur railway station, despite handling approximately 7,000 to 8,000 passengers daily post-COVID-19 has been relegated to a non-entity.
DNSU also lamented that out of over 40 long-distance trains passing through Dimapur, not a single train originate at Dimapur railway station. The duo also pointed out that trains like Jan Shatabdi, BG Express, and Nagaland Express which originated at Dimapur, have been shifted to Assam under questionable circumstances.
On the proposed redevelopment of Dimapur railway station for which Rs.283 crore was allotted as announced by prime minister Narendra Modi on August 6, 2023, DNSU cautioned that the proposed redevelopment and modernization of Dimapur Railway Station into a world-class facility was in jeopardy due to land encroachment and lack of coordination between NFR and the state government.
DNSU also pointed out that nearly 30 hectares of NFR land were under unauthorized occupation, a matter, which it maintained, had been ignored for decades. DNSU stated that absence of a double railway track further added to deprivation of space for much needed expansion and redevelopment and instead led to inefficiency and which has led to very brief stoppage time.
DNSU said that without immediate resolution of the issues raised, Dimapur railway station risked being further sidelined and as a consequence of which the fund of Rs.283 crore allotted for redevelopment and modernisation of Dimapur railway station stands the risk of being redirected to other states, as has happened in the past.
In the light of the above , DNSU has appealed to the NFR and the state government to take immediate and decisive steps to resolve the encroachment issue and make land available for the redevelopment project.
It also demanded reintroducing long-distance trains originating from Dimapur to meet the demands of thousands of daily passengers.
Further, DNSU urged the NFR to ensure transparent timelines and accountability in implementing the Rs.283 crore redevelopment plan.
Meanwhile, DNSU has called upon all the stakeholders to join hands in demanding prompt action and a commitment to development. “The future of Dimapur Railway Station depends on our collective efforts,” DNSU added.