Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has fervently called upon the people of the State to embrace developmental activities in the State.
He said this while speaking to media persons on queries regarding issue of land encroachment in Dimapur railway station and Dimapur airport on the sideline of the ‘2nd Nagaland International Trade Expo’.
Highlighting the critical role of Dimapur Railway Station, as the second highest revenue generation station in the North East, Rio pointed out that railway stations across India were now enjoying the same facilities like the airports.
As reported, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has assured that development works at Dimapur Railway Station would begin from April 30, 2024.
Rio, however, noted that the scope of expanding Dimapur railway has been hindered due to encroachments in railway land. Since the matter is sub-judice and pending before the court, he said that the government will await the judgment.
Similarly, the chief minister said that development/expansion of Dimapur airport has also been stalled due to encroachment. Rio said that the runway in Dimapur was very short, which is approximately 2.3 kilometres, and poses as a risk to passengers. Taking note of this, he said that the authorities had purchased whatever space was available till the river side for extension of the runway.
However, he said that some “unauthorized people” had allotted the land in another block and the encroachers had occupied area and took the matter to the court. Though the lower court gave the judgment in favour of them (encroachers), he said the state government approached the higher court the matter was vacated. He asserted that the government was still pursuing the matter.
In such a scenario, Rio maintained that people should understand that those who are flying were in danger. “One day, if we overshoot (the runway) there will be accident, lives will be lost. It’s very sad,” he said.
Taking note of all the bottlenecks, Rio said that the state government had come up with “Special Economic Development Zone” in the foothills so that economic activities should grow, not only in Dimapur but from Tizit, Tuli, Niuland and upto Khelma touching Silchar.
“We are going to make a railway line, trans-Nagaland highway,” he said, stressing on connectivity and economic activities.
While urging the public to voice out on such issues, he lamented that being in a democratic country people just do what they want to do and have no respect for the authorities.
“Though democracy is the best form of government, if citizens are not responsible, democracy will turn into mobocracy. When there is mob there is no system and that’s where you cannot do what you need to do,” Rio said.
He asserted that people should welcome development and feel the sense of pride.