Construction work in progress at one of the tunnel portals of the Dimapur (Dhansiri)–Kohima (Zubza) New Railway Line Project during the inspection by Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) General Manager Ashish Bansal. NFR has targeted completion of the strategically important rail link by 2029. (Photo Courtesy: NFR)
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Dimapur, July 30 (MExN): With the strategically significant Dimapur (Dhansiri)–Kohima (Zubza) railway line targeted for completion by 2029, General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction) Ashish Bansal has reviewed progress of the project, directing officials to maintain construction momentum while ensuring quality and safety.
During a comprehensive inspection of the project, Bansal visited tunnels, major bridges, station yards and other critical worksites, accompanied by senior Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) officials. He also interacted with engineers and field officials and stressed the need for timely execution while maintaining "the highest standards of quality, safety and engineering excellence," according to an NFR release.
The 78.42-km railway line, which will connect Kohima to the national railway network for the first time, is regarded as one of the region's most significant infrastructure projects. It traverses Karbi Anglong district in Assam and Chümoukedima and Kohima districts in Nagaland.
The project comprises eight stations—Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Shokhuvi, Molvom, Pherima, Piphema, Menguzuma and Zubza. Dhansiri, Shokhuvi and Molvom stations have already been completed.
Construction has progressed in phases, with the 16.5-km Dhansiri–Shokhuvi section commissioned in October 2021, followed by the 14.64-km Shokhuvi–Molvom section in March 2025. Passenger train services currently operate from Shokhuvi to Guwahati and Naharlagun, while Molvom has become Nagaland's third major railway station.
NFR said the remaining works involve some of the most challenging engineering components of the project, including 20 tunnels spanning a combined 31,169 metres, 27 major bridges and 149 minor bridges. Despite difficult terrain and complex geological conditions, construction is continuing through multiple tunnel faces using modern engineering techniques and continuous monitoring.
During the inspection, Bansal commended the efforts of engineers and construction teams and called for "maintaining the pace of work, ensuring close coordination among all stakeholders and completing the project within the targeted timeframe while upholding the highest standards of safety and quality."
According to NFR, completion of the railway line by 2029 is expected to be a milestone for Nagaland, improving connectivity, expanding access to education, healthcare, tourism and markets, and driving socio-economic development across the state and the wider Northeast.
