Kohima: Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Monday chaired a review meeting at Lok Bhavan, Kohima, to assess the progress of the Dhansiri-Zubza (Dimapur-Kohima) New Line Railway Project and the Integrated Redevelopment of Dimapur Railway Station with officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction).
During the meeting, railway officials briefed the Governor on the status of the 78.42-km Dimapur-Kohima railway project, a national infrastructure initiative aimed at providing rail connectivity to Kohima district for the first time. The railway line passes through Karbi Anglong district in Assam and Chümoukedima and Kohima districts in Nagaland.
Officials informed the Governor that the Dhansiri-Shokhuvi and Shokhuvi-Molvom sections have already been commissioned, while work on the remaining stretches is progressing despite challenging terrain and adverse climatic conditions.
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Dimapur and Kohima, reduce travel time, enhance mobility for students, patients and daily commuters, facilitate freight transportation, boost tourism, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to the socio-economic development of Nagaland and the wider Northeast region.
The review also highlighted several challenges affecting project execution, including difficult geological conditions, landslide-prone areas, heavy monsoon rainfall, poor rock quality, limited working seasons, shortage of skilled labour, and infrastructure constraints. Officials further pointed to high-pressure groundwater ingress and fault zones encountered during tunnel construction as major engineering challenges.
The Governor also reviewed the progress of the Integrated Redevelopment of Dimapur Railway Station, which has been sanctioned under the station redevelopment programme. Scheduled for completion by July 2028, the project will feature modern passenger amenities, office complexes, residential quarters, circulation areas, and other supporting infrastructure.
Railway officials briefed the Governor on ongoing foundation and construction works and sought the State Government's support in facilitating approach roads to upcoming railway stations, expediting mutation of acquired railway land, and addressing issues related to riverbed mining near major railway bridges.
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The officials also highlighted challenges arising from encroachments at certain project sites, noting that coordinated efforts between the Railways and the State Government would be required to ensure smooth execution of the redevelopment project.
Emphasising the importance of timely completion, Governor Yadav assured continued support from the State Government for both projects. He said improved railway connectivity would play a transformative role in accelerating economic growth, enhancing public mobility, and strengthening regional integration across Nagaland.
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