The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), along with various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has raised concerns over the slow progress of the ambitious project to upgrade Dimapur Railway Station into a world-class facility under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The council has cited unresolved land encroachment and allotment issues as the primary reasons for the delay in the project’s implementation.
In a statement shared with EastMojo by the NCD, it was revealed that although the Central Government has sanctioned the redevelopment project with a stipulated three-year completion timeline starting January 2025, actual ground execution has been sluggish. The project, approved under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and to be executed by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and infrastructure.
According to the NCD, a coordination meeting of CSOs held on May 16, 2025, reaffirmed full support for the redevelopment project while expressing discontent over its slow progress. The CSOs endorsed the NCD to submit formal representations to both the Chief Engineer (Construction), NFR Maligaon, Assam, and the Commissioner & Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Nagaland. These representations were initially decided during a coordination meeting held on January 29, 2025, at the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur.
In a follow-up discussion with the Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADEr) of Railway Station Dimapur regarding the latest progress of redevelopment works on May 21, the NCD was informed that key components of the project—including architectural designs, service and residential buildings, and water supply systems—were ready. Dismantling of old structures has begun and construction materials have started arriving. However, the ADEr warned that the unresolved issue of land encroachment remains the biggest obstacle and could result in indefinite delays or even derail the entire project.
“The ADEr also stated that the biggest obstacle to the project would be the still unresolved issue of railway land encroachment between those individuals/groups and the State Government of the day, which would certainly delay or may even lead the concerned construction company to completely put off the project,” the NCD said.
“It was also learnt that there is still no headway to an amicable settlement between those land allottees and the Government of Nagaland,” it added.
The council emphasized that the stalled redevelopment, if not addressed urgently, could lead to downgrading the project into a lower-cost version or even cancellation—jeopardizing a crucial infrastructure initiative that promises long-term benefits for Nagaland, parts of Assam, and Manipur.
The proposed upgraded station includes an iconic terminal building designed to serve the next 50 years, with modern passenger facilities such as food courts, ATMs, pharmacies, children’s play zones, and more. It also envisions improved accessibility for the elderly and persons with disabilities, energy-saving measures like solar panels, and eco-friendly initiatives including solid waste and rainwater management systems.
However, the NCD stated that persistent land encroachment and contested land allotments within the project zone have brought progress to a near halt. Despite months being given to resolve the issue, the impasse continues, posing a serious threat to the project’s timeline and integrity.
“NCD confidently states that the project is immensely in the interest of the public in the entire Nagaland State, Manipur State, and areas of Assam State adjacent to Dimapur Railway Station. This interest of the public should not be treated as negligible under any circumstances because of an unsolved land encroachment issue between those individuals and the Government of the day,” the NCD stated, adding that failure to deliver the project due to internal disagreements would be a historical blunder.
“Our future generations will curse the leaders of our present society if this admirable railway project lapses due to our selfishness and the inability of the government or concerned authority,” it added.
The NCD has appealed to individual land allottees to act in the greater public interest and voluntarily engage with the State Government to resolve the dispute. The council also urged the Government of Nagaland and the Railway Authority to hold regular coordination meetings, as initially resolved, to ensure smoother communication and progress monitoring.
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