India Union Railway Minister, Dinesh Trividi arrives at the Dimapur train station in Dimapur, Nagaland on Sunday, September 11. The Union Minister during his maiden visit to the state announces a special train ‘Nagaland Express’ to start operating from November 15 between Dimapur-Guwahati. (Photo by Caisii Mao)
Dimapur | September 11 : Dimapur railway station appeared unusually prim and proper on Sunday thanks to a visit from the Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi. The Railway minister is on a tour of the northeast accompanied by members from the highest decision making of the Indian Railways – Railway Board of India and other officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). “It is my proud privilege to start (the tour) from Nagaland,” said Trivedi on arrival. On the same breath, he expressed optimism that something positive will come up in the development aspect, particularly railways.
One positive development that did emerge out of the visit was the announcement of a special train service between Dimapur and Guwahati. To be christened ‘Nagaland Express’, the train will start running from November 15, if all goes off as proposed. It is the realization of an eagerly anticipated proposal announced during the last Railway Budget.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio made the announcement following a joint conference of cabinet ministers of the state government, the Union Railway Minister, member of the national Railway Board, NFR officials and senior functionaries of the state bureaucracy. The meeting was held at the NAPTC Police Conference Hall.
“I want to reach out to reach out to the people” at the same time “start a process of dialogue,” said Trivedi addressing a customary press conference after the meeting. Apparently hinting at the sincerity of the Union government in bringing the NE region closer to the mainland, he said: “It is difficult to announce projects without first knowing the ground reality,” hence the tour. He added that the CM has made some concrete suggestions at the meeting, the nitty-gritty of which need to be worked out and given shape. “This is the start of the process of dialogue.”
The CM elaborated on the other, no less important, pending agenda that were discussed at the meeting. Chief among them was the long proposed rail line connecting Dimapur with Kohima, evidently negotiating an uphill climb in the form of landowners. Nevertheless, the CM said in three months time, the government will again start negotiations with the land owners. “We’re hopeful that the land owners will be reasonable,” he said.
He further made it clear the stand of the state government that the proposed line should not terminate at Zubza, as proposed earlier, but be extended till the state capital and beyond till the international border with Myanmar via Imphal. Another project high on the agenda of the state government is the ‘Foothill rail line from Dimapur to Tizit in Mon. It is envisaged to touch five districts bordering Assam, namely – Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, Mon and Dimapur.
When completed “it will change the lifestyle and the economy of Nagaland”. And hopefully, the groundwork i.e. survey for the said project will be completed within this financial year, the CM said. Two other rail projects – Amguri to Naginimora and Amguri to Tuli - figured among the discussions, the CM disclosed.
On the part of the state government, the CM assured the visiting union minister and his entourage that all pending cases as regards land acquisition will be resolved while taking all positive measures that the railways do not pay more than the compensation paid in Mizoram.
The CM also highlighted the problems faced by rail passengers boarding Rajdhani Express from Dimapur. The stoppage time of this particular train at Dimapur must be increased from the present five minutes immediately. Besides, the number of seats reserved for Dimapur must be increased while additional bogies should be added from Dimapur. He further brought to the notice of the visiting minister that Dimapur railway station is in need of two more roofed platforms. On recruitment into the Indian Railways, he suggested that firm steps need be taken to enable youths from the tribal states avail jobs.
The Railway Minister in response said that he is only taking forward what his predecessors had started stating: “Whatever I’m doing today is nothing new.” The purpose of the visit is to ensure that whatever proposals that have been put forth are met, he said. Particularly, referring to the Dimapur-Tizit foothill rail line, he said that his job will be to ensure that work on the project starts as soon as possible.
One positive development that did emerge out of the visit was the announcement of a special train service between Dimapur and Guwahati. To be christened ‘Nagaland Express’, the train will start running from November 15, if all goes off as proposed. It is the realization of an eagerly anticipated proposal announced during the last Railway Budget.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio made the announcement following a joint conference of cabinet ministers of the state government, the Union Railway Minister, member of the national Railway Board, NFR officials and senior functionaries of the state bureaucracy. The meeting was held at the NAPTC Police Conference Hall.
“I want to reach out to reach out to the people” at the same time “start a process of dialogue,” said Trivedi addressing a customary press conference after the meeting. Apparently hinting at the sincerity of the Union government in bringing the NE region closer to the mainland, he said: “It is difficult to announce projects without first knowing the ground reality,” hence the tour. He added that the CM has made some concrete suggestions at the meeting, the nitty-gritty of which need to be worked out and given shape. “This is the start of the process of dialogue.”
The CM elaborated on the other, no less important, pending agenda that were discussed at the meeting. Chief among them was the long proposed rail line connecting Dimapur with Kohima, evidently negotiating an uphill climb in the form of landowners. Nevertheless, the CM said in three months time, the government will again start negotiations with the land owners. “We’re hopeful that the land owners will be reasonable,” he said.
He further made it clear the stand of the state government that the proposed line should not terminate at Zubza, as proposed earlier, but be extended till the state capital and beyond till the international border with Myanmar via Imphal. Another project high on the agenda of the state government is the ‘Foothill rail line from Dimapur to Tizit in Mon. It is envisaged to touch five districts bordering Assam, namely – Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, Mon and Dimapur.
When completed “it will change the lifestyle and the economy of Nagaland”. And hopefully, the groundwork i.e. survey for the said project will be completed within this financial year, the CM said. Two other rail projects – Amguri to Naginimora and Amguri to Tuli - figured among the discussions, the CM disclosed.
On the part of the state government, the CM assured the visiting union minister and his entourage that all pending cases as regards land acquisition will be resolved while taking all positive measures that the railways do not pay more than the compensation paid in Mizoram.
The CM also highlighted the problems faced by rail passengers boarding Rajdhani Express from Dimapur. The stoppage time of this particular train at Dimapur must be increased from the present five minutes immediately. Besides, the number of seats reserved for Dimapur must be increased while additional bogies should be added from Dimapur. He further brought to the notice of the visiting minister that Dimapur railway station is in need of two more roofed platforms. On recruitment into the Indian Railways, he suggested that firm steps need be taken to enable youths from the tribal states avail jobs.
The Railway Minister in response said that he is only taking forward what his predecessors had started stating: “Whatever I’m doing today is nothing new.” The purpose of the visit is to ensure that whatever proposals that have been put forth are met, he said. Particularly, referring to the Dimapur-Tizit foothill rail line, he said that his job will be to ensure that work on the project starts as soon as possible.
Dinesh Trivedi makes suggestions for improving Dimapur station
The Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi was reminded, much to the chagrin of the seated NFR officials that the Dimapur railway station was all tidied up unlike other days. He remarked it is the culture prevalent everywhere that during VIP visits people try and make sure that everything is in their proper place. To see the real picture, the only option will be to visit unannounced, he said on a lighter note. India, like it or not has a huge population and thus, the problem of hygiene. Instead of ruing, he suggested that this factor must be used to advantage i.e. everybody must contribute towards propagating public hygiene.
According to his observation, he said that the railway station here requires two entry points for passengers. The goods shipment area on the western side must be shifted to a convenient location, he suggested. Another objective for the station officials must be to pay a little more attention to the ‘circulation area’. The platform, usually crowded more by visitors coming to see off passengers must be looked into, he said. Aside from one or two helpers, only the passengers must be allowed entry to the platform. He was shown around the station premises earlier in the afternoon, after arrival.
Earlier, on arrival at the airport, he had commented that a place like Nagaland should be given ‘special preferences’, in the development aspect. Asked to elaborate on the comment, he said that besides his objective on the railway front, he would also like to see growth in all other aspects of development. He observed that the infrastructure and other amenities at the Dimapur airport definitely require room for improvement, besides, the need for more flights and bigger in size. The Railway Ministry will take all that is possible to fulfill the needs of the state, he said. He also assured to extend all possible assistance in the development front and on this aspect, assured to look into the possibility of setting up of a nursing college in Nagaland.
Trivedi also announced that he will be making a second visit in December, hopefully, during the Hornbill Festival. The special Dimapur-Guwahati train service expected to run by November will be formally inaugurated during the visit.
According to his observation, he said that the railway station here requires two entry points for passengers. The goods shipment area on the western side must be shifted to a convenient location, he suggested. Another objective for the station officials must be to pay a little more attention to the ‘circulation area’. The platform, usually crowded more by visitors coming to see off passengers must be looked into, he said. Aside from one or two helpers, only the passengers must be allowed entry to the platform. He was shown around the station premises earlier in the afternoon, after arrival.
Earlier, on arrival at the airport, he had commented that a place like Nagaland should be given ‘special preferences’, in the development aspect. Asked to elaborate on the comment, he said that besides his objective on the railway front, he would also like to see growth in all other aspects of development. He observed that the infrastructure and other amenities at the Dimapur airport definitely require room for improvement, besides, the need for more flights and bigger in size. The Railway Ministry will take all that is possible to fulfill the needs of the state, he said. He also assured to extend all possible assistance in the development front and on this aspect, assured to look into the possibility of setting up of a nursing college in Nagaland.
Trivedi also announced that he will be making a second visit in December, hopefully, during the Hornbill Festival. The special Dimapur-Guwahati train service expected to run by November will be formally inaugurated during the visit.
