Naga Council Dimapur urges swift resolution of land disputes hindering Dimapur Railway Station redevelopment

• DIMAPUR — With unresolved land encroachment issues stalling the project to upgrade Dimapur Railway Station into a world-class facility under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has appealed to the land allottees to act in public interest and urged the state government to immediately initiate discussions with the landholders to resolve the matter.
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• In a press release issued on Saturday, the council reminded the government to hold regular coordination meetings as decided earlier in January, and appealed to the land allottees to act with a spirit of sacrifice.
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• It stated that despite the Centre’s approval, release of funds, and completion of tender formalities, land disputes are preventing the project’s timely execution. The three-year project, set to commence in January 2025, will be implemented by the Northeast Frontier Railway.

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• Plans under this project include an iconic station building, integrated terminal facilities, a rooftop concourse, modern amenities such as food courts, children’s zones, pharmacy, digital services, and dedicated facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
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• The council recalled that civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), during a coordination meeting on May 16, affirmed their full support for the project but expressed frustration over unresolved railway land encroachment issues and land allotments that have stalled progress.
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• Consequently, they submitted representations to the chief engineer (construction) of NFR and to the commissioner and secretary for Transport Department, Government of Nagaland.
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• Again on May 21, the NCD informed, its leaders had met with the assistant divisional engineer of Dimapur Railway Station, who confirmed that despite all project components being ready—including architectural plans, service buildings, water supply systems, and the arrival of construction materials—the unresolved land encroachment remains the biggest hurdle.
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• According to the council, the assistant divisional engineer revealed that dismantling of old residential quarters has begun, but warned that unless land disputes are settled, the construction company may be forced to delay or even abandon the project.
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• “It was also learnt that still there is no headway to an amicable settlement between those land allottees and the government of Nagaland,” it stated.
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• The NCD expressed deep concern that this impasse could jeopardise a project of immense public interest. It pointed out that the Dimapur Railway Station serves not only Nagaland but also Manipur and adjacent areas of Assam.