Government Approves ₹283 Crore for Dimapur Station Modernisation.

The Central government has approved ₹283 crore for the modernisation of the historic Dimapur railway station in Nagaland, a key rail hub in the Northeast, state Health and Family Welfare Minister P. Pawang Konyak told the Assembly recently.

Speaking during a discussion on the station’s status, Konyak highlighted that Dimapur remains the second highest revenue-earning railway station in the Northeast. He added that both the concerned department and landowners have written to the Ministry of Railways seeking compensation, and are currently awaiting a response.

Dimapur, Nagaland’s main commercial city, is located about 70 km from the state capital, Kohima. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio emphasised the need for an amicable settlement of land-related issues to ensure the modernisation project proceeds smoothly.

In his remarks, Chief Minister Rio noted that the Dimapur Railway Station, inaugurated in 1903, predates the formation of Nagaland as a state in 1963. At the time, certain constitutional provisions regarding land ownership did not exist, and railway authorities had occupied land for railway purposes long before the state came into existence. Over the years, encroachments increased, and some were regularised, complicating the current situation.

Chief Minister Rio called for constructive dialogue between the state government and Indian Railways to reach an amicable solution, particularly regarding compensation for landowners, while cautioning that demands should not be excessively high.

During the discussion, National People’s Party MLA Nuklutoshi highlighted long-standing negligence by various stakeholders, noting that the Northeast Frontier Railway remained silent for years as illegal constructions emerged on railway land. He outlined three possible options for resolving land issues: compensation for resettlement, forceful eviction, or relocating the station.

MLA Nuklutoshi added that while new railway expansion projects towards Kohima and other areas are planned, those stations would be smaller, and Dimapur will continue to serve as the state’s main railway station.

The modernisation project of Dimapur railway station is expected to upgrade facilities, improve infrastructure, and reinforce its role as a critical rail hub for Nagaland and the Northeast region.