Nagaland Governor reviews Dimapur-Kohima railway project as two sections are commissioned and station redevelopment progresses amid execution challenges
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DIMAPUR — Two sections of the Dhansiri-Zubza (Dimapur-Kohima) new line railway project have already been commissioned, officials informed Governor Nand Kishore Yadav during a review meeting held at Lok Bhavan, Kohima, on Monday.
The governor reviewed progress of the 78.42-kilometre railway project and the Integrated Redevelopment of Dimapur Railway Station with officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction).
According to officials, the Dhansiri-Shokhuvi and Shokhuvi-Molvom sections have been commissioned, while work on the remaining stretches is continuing.
The railway project, designated as a national project, is intended to provide rail connectivity to Kohima district for the first time. The alignment passes through Karbi Anglong district in Assam and Chümoukedima and Kohima districts in Nagaland.
During the review, officials highlighted several challenges affecting project execution, including difficult geological conditions, landslide-prone terrain, heavy monsoon rainfall, poor rock quality, limited working seasons, shortage of skilled labour and infrastructure constraints.
Officials also pointed to challenges encountered during tunnel construction, including high-pressure groundwater ingress and fault zones, according to an official update.
The governor was further briefed on the Integrated Redevelopment of Dimapur Railway Station, which has been sanctioned under the station redevelopment programme and is scheduled for completion by July 2028.
The project includes modern passenger facilities, office complexes, residential quarters, circulation areas and associated infrastructure. Officials informed the meeting that foundation and construction works are underway at various project sites.
During the meeting, the NFR sought cooperation of the state government in facilitating approach roads to upcoming railway stations, expediting mutation of acquired railway land and addressing issues related to riverbed mining near major railway bridges.
Officials also informed the governor that the station redevelopment project faces challenges arising from existing encroachments affecting construction activities and requires coordinated action between the Railways and the state government.
Emphasising the importance of timely completion of the projects, Yadav assured continued support and cooperation from the state government.