With high land compensation rates threatening to derail the proposed Dimapur-to-Kohima railway link, an exasperated Government of Nagaland has now decided to explore the third – and the last, perhaps – route to drive the 8.50 billion (Rs. 850 Crore) engine through. In fact, a senior Nagaland government leader has disclosed that the state government has “almost dropped” the first two routes proposed originally for the Dimapur-Kohima rail-link as the government cannot meet the ‘exorbitant’ land rates the landowners are demanding.
The issue of compensation and land rates has been the biggest roadblock in the way of the much-hyped Dimapur-Kohima route (88.4 kilometers approximately). The Dimapur-Kohima railway link (originally Dimapur-Zubza but extended till Kohima) was approved by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, in 2008 with much fanfare.
A government leader said Thursday December 8 that the Government of Nagaland has – in fact – already invited the Railway Board of India to survey the third route – Dhansiri in Assam through to Dhansiripar, Razhaphe, Pimla, Shoukovi, Vidima, Virazouma, Tenyiphe and Chumukedima villages in Nagaland.
The first route proposed was from Dimapur-Thahekhu-Thilixu to Chumukedima while the second route was via the Dimapur Railway Station crossing Zoological Park. The prolonged stalemate between the state government and landowners – on whose areas the rails are to pass through – has been the biggest obstacle to the project which is heralded as a potential gold mine that would improve the state’s largely-rural economy.
Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (MLA) Azheto Zhimomi told The Morung Express Thursday that the government has “almost dropped them (the original two routes)” and has invited the Railway Board to undertake survey operations for route covering Dhansiripar till Kohima.
Interestingly when queried whether exploring the third option indicated that the issue has been solved; the legislator said the ‘problem’ is “almost solved.” Zhimomi – the chief negotiator of the state government to the landowners – said there are villages that want the link to pass through their areas and ‘is asking for development.’
‘The project for the routes has been almost dropped; we have invited the Railway officials to survey the third option, Dhansiripar to Shoukovi…’ the MLA told this daily on the sidelines of a function held to mark the upgrading of a government school in Thahekhu village, Dimapur on Thursday. The Advisor of Sericulture & Cooperation said further that the “landowners of the third option” have expressed a desire to benefit from development and the state government is happy to oblige.
On November 14, the government and Dimapur district administration had met with leaders of the affected villagers. During the meeting, leaders of a number of villages who fall within the “third option” areas had assured all cooperation and had consented to the compensation rates of the government “whatever they give us.”
The Railway Ministry’s land rate is currently at Rs 25 per square feet while the landowners are demanding Rs. 60 per square feet. Both the Central and state government have consistently called the villages’ rate “exorbitant.” The government is offering Rs 25 per square feet for residential areas, Rs 10 per square feet for agricultural areas such as paddy fields and a separate rate for damaged properties.
