Neiphiu Rio flags off Nagaland-Arunachal daily train service

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Aug. 26 (EMN): Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio on Friday flagged off a passenger train service — Donyi Polo Express – which will run between Shokhuvi Railway Station and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh daily starting on August 26.

The flagging off ceremony was held at Shokhuvi Railway Station in the presence of Minister for Transport, Civil Aviation and Railways, Land Resources, Paiwang Konyak; minister of Public Health Engineering department, N Jacob Zhimomi; and other officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Rio said that it was a historic moment for the state as it has got its second railway station at Shokhuvi after 119 years, adding that the facility will bring immense benefit to the people of Nagaland and other neighbouring states.

He said this railway project could have been completed much earlier had there been no land acquisition issues, while adding that it is never too late. He lauded the commitment of the Railway ministry and officials to bring railway line to Kohima.

He stated that the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy is to connect the region not only with the mainland but also the South East, which will bring a lot of economic benefits and improve connectivity.

While lamenting non exploration of oil and natural resources in the state, he expressed hope that the new railway line will change the state’s economy. He also urged the Railways department to fulfill its commitment of completing Molvom railway station by March-April 2023, adding that the people should not create land acquisition issues to complete the project on time.

Rio expressed hope that the next dream railway line — Dimapur-Tizit – which was approved in 2012, will be implemented soon.

He went on to say that while pursuing new railway lines, the Dimapur railway station, which was established in 1903 and serves as a life line to all the stations, should not be forgotten. He said improved connectivity should help take farmers’ produce to other states and beyond.

Railway line beyond Zubza in offing

General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) Anshul Gupta said in his welcome address that the Railways would not stop at Zubza and that it had already submitted a proposal to undertake a survey from Zubza to New Kohima-Imphal-Aizwal so that all the states are connected in a loop.

He also said that they are committed to completing the Molvom station by March-April 2023 and has plans to introduce long-distance trains from Nagaland so that local produce can be supplied to other states.

In an interaction with the media, Gupta informed that many projects, including the doubling of adjacent track from Lumding to Furkating station are in progress. He added that they are planning to carry out eviction drive to modernize the Dimapur railway station, though no timeline has been fixed for the exercise.

Minister of PHED, Jacob Zhimomi said the project is the testament of the Nagaland chief minister’s and government’s commitment to the people of the state, and that the enhanced connectivity will boost trade and the state’s economy.

The 15817/15818 Donyi Polo Express, which used to run between Guwahati and Naharlagun, is now extended to Shokhuvi, and will henceforth run as a daily train service between Shokhuvi and Naharlagun.

It will have stoppages at Dhansiri, Diphu, Lumding, Lanka, Hojai, Chaparmukh stations in its extended service between Shukhovi and Guwahati.

The train No. 15818 Naharlagun – Shokhuvi Express from Naharlagun to Shokhuvi will depart Naharlagun at 19:50 hrs in the evening every day, and reach Shokhuvi at 09:30 hrs in the morning. The same train will then move from Shokhuvi as train No. 15817 Shokhuvi – Naharlagun Express at 17:45 hrs in the evening, and reach Naharlagun at 06:45 hrs in the morning. 

The next phase of railway line from Shokhuvi to Pherima is likely to be completed in September 2023 and the complete project up to Zubza is targeted to be completed by March, 2026.