Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) and Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC), Lumding Division member Akuonuo Miachieo has suggested a collaborative dialogue between the Railway Board and the state government to resolve ownership conflicts and explore alternative solutions to avoid prolonged legal battles regarding Dimapur railway station.
Highlighting key issues hindering the timely completion of the Dimapur-Kohima railway project and the various challenges plaguing the Dimapur railway station during a consultative meeting of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee held at Lumding, Assam on March 21, Akuonuo noted a large portion of railway land had been encroached upon by private settlers, leading to legal disputes and compensation demands, delaying the expansion of Dimapur railway station.
Further, given Dimapur’s strategic importance, she recommended a minimum halt time of 15-20 minutes for trains, along with the expansion of parking and platform facilities.
She pointed out that trains at Dimapur station currently halted for only two to five minutes, causing inconvenience to passengers, while trains were often held in Assam, due to limited parking space, affecting overall efficiency.
And, as construction work, especially at tunnel no. 6 and 7 near Tsiepama village, was frequently disrupted due to security challenges, she called for enhanced security measures at critical construction sites to protect workers and ensure smooth project implementation.
Noting that delays in land acquisition and rising compensation costs had slowed down the construction of tunnels, road over bridges (ROBs), and road under bridges (RUBs), and contractors had also incurred additional costs, leading to reimbursement delays, Miachieo stressed fast-tracking land acquisition and ensuring timely release of funds to help avoid further delays and cost escalations.
She also called for introduction of a more efficient ticketing system to reduce last-minute congestion and improve passenger convenience. With rising passenger demand at Dimapur station, she said there was an urgent need to increase ticket allotment and seating capacity.