Encroachment stalling devp of Rly Station: NCD

Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has reiterated that the unsettled land encroachment/land allotment at Dimapur remains the main obstacle against redevelopment of Dimapur railway station into world class railway station and further delay would lead to either drastically reducing the project cost to fit the limited space or even cancellation of the entire project.
This was contained in a press release issued by NCD president Etsungmomo Kikon, general secretary LK Peter Anal and vice president (CB) GK Rengma.
The signatories pointed out that at the May 16 meeting with various civil society organisations (CSOs), the NCD was given the responsibility to monitor the Rs.280 crore redevelopment of Dimapur and to transform it into a world class railway station
At the meeting NCD was also asked to submit a representation to the chief engineer (construction) NFR Maligaon, Assam including the commissioner & secretary, transport department, to expedite the work.
Following this, NCD said discussions were also held with Assistant Divisional Engineer railway station Dimapur where it was noted that the slow pace of redevelopmental works was due to unsettled Dimapur railway land encroachments and allotment within the proposed project area.
NCD said that despite the state government having been given enough time to resolve the issue of encroachment, it still remained unsettled.
Again on May 21, 2025, NCD team led by its president Etsungmomo Kikon along with general secretary LK Peter Anal and NCD vigilance committee co-convener Hotoshe Sumi met with Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADEr) railway station Dimapur to enquire on the latest progress of re-development works.
According to NCD, the ADEr informed that as per the scheduled period of the project all the components – Architectural & Drawing Design Plan of the project, Service Building, Residential Office Building, Water Supply System, DPR were all at hand. ADEr also revealed that dismantling of old residential quarters had begun and construction materials have started arriving.
However, NCD said ADEr informed that the biggest obstacle against the project was the unresolved issue of railway land encroachment between those individuals/groups and the state government.
NCD said ADEr warned that further delay could even compel the construction company in completely putting off the project. NCD admitted that there was still no headway over the occupation between land allottees and the state government and warned that prolonged loggerhead that is causing delay will finally lead to cancellation of the project or reducing the project to a less cost minor project.
The council urged the state government and railway authority to create conducive coordination for the progress of the work through holding monthly coordination meeting as decided during meeting on January 29, 2025.
On the issue of land encroachment, NCD appealed to those individual land allottees to come out voluntarily “with sacrificing-hearts” in larger public interest and discuss the matter with the state government at the earliest.
It also suggested that the government initiate early interactions with the land allottees for early settlement.
NCD stated that the Centre had recently approved re-development of present Dimapur railway into a world class railway station under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and set its completion within the stipulated time fame of three years commencing from January 2025.
The council also state that requisite formalities of tendering in respect of the project have completed and fund against the project was also released by the Railways Ministry.
On completion of the project, NCD said the following structures and facilities would be created for the wellbeing of the public in the region:
•Iconic station building with Facilities to cater need of another 50 years.
•Spacious Concourse/Roof Plaza connecting terminal building, Platforms having all essential facilities i.e. food court, retails, ATM, One Station One Product, Kids Play Zone, Pharmacy, internet, washrooms etc.
•Integration of both sides of city (Station building on both sides of the tracks).
•Divyangjan and old citizen friendly facilities.
•Sufficient circulating area & adequate provision for drop off, pick up & parking.
•Green Building, Energy Saving, Solar panels, Fire fighting, Rainwater harvesting, Waste water/storm water reuse and Solid waste management on site.
•Land patch in circulating area kept for commercial utilization of land.
However, what is of prime importance is the expansion into double-track so facilitate longer stops and addition of more trains emanating from Dimapur.
Nagaland Post has been highlighting the issue of neglect of Dimapur since 1996 despite being the second highest revenue earner for the NFR.