The delegation with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan, Chennai on July 3.
Chennai, July 4 (MExN): A delegation from the North East India Welfare Association Chennai (NEIWAC) and the Naga Christian Fellowship Chennai (NCF Chennai) met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan and submitted a representation seeking the restoration of the Chennai–Dimapur train service. The service has remained suspended since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The delegation, led by Wapangtoshi, President, NEIWAC and Pastor, NCF Chennai along with Dr Maongnungsang Jamir and Kereineinuo, met the Governor at Lok Bhavan, Chennai on July 3.
The delegation explained that Chennai–Dimapur train had been one of the most convenient and dependable modes of transportation for people from the Northeast, particularly those from Nagaland and parts of Assam and Manipur. It played a significant role in facilitating travel for students pursuing higher education, patients seeking advanced medical treatment, businesspersons, working professionals, and families visiting their native places. The service also served as a vital link in strengthening educational, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between Tamil Nadu and the Northeastern states.
The delegation further pointed out that, at present, no train originating from Chennai passes through Dimapur Railway Station. As a result, the available travel options are either extremely time-consuming or involve significantly higher travel costs, causing considerable inconvenience to passengers from the Northeast. Many residents from the Northeast living in Chennai find it particularly difficult to travel with their families, elderly persons, patients, or heavy luggage. The absence of a direct train from Chennai has significantly affected the travel convenience of thousands of people from the Northeast residing in Tamil Nadu.
Urging the Governor to consider the immense public importance of the issue, the delegation requested his intervention to support the restoration of the service, considering its immense public importance and the growing number of people from the Northeastern States living, studying, and working in Tamil Nadu.
Governor Arlekar patiently listened to the grievances and acknowledged the significance of the matter. He shared his observations and assured the delegation that he would take up the issue with Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, pledging his support toward finding a positive solution.
Following the meeting, Wapangtoshi stated that the delegation was greatly encouraged by the Governor's warm reception, humility, and patient hearing of their representation. “The Governor's assurance to pursue the matter has renewed hope among the people of the Northeast residing in Tamil Nadu and those who regularly travel between Tamil Nadu and the Northeastern States,” he noted.
The Northeast community remains hopeful that the Chennai–Dimapur train service will be restored in the larger public interest, benefiting thousands of passengers and further strengthening the longstanding relationship between Tamil Nadu and the Northeastern region, he added.
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