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File of photo of the lone Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio.[/caption]
Dimapur, March 16 (EMN): Lone Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio, while highlighting on the present condition of railway service particularly in Nagaland and Northeast as a whole, asked the Railway Ministry to make Dimapur Railway Station into a smart station and take up Dimapur to Tizit project on top priority. Rio said this in his address at the parliament on March 15.
Concerning railway fund allocation to northeast region, he said the allocation has been encouraging since it has enhanced to around Rs. 69,029.89 crore. However, he lamented on the work pace of the Dimapur — Kohima Railway project, which is 88 kilometres. It was learned that only 26 kilometres can be completed in two years time.
Besides the slow pace of work and having learned that railway head has not been connected to the State capital Kohima and that it is short by 18 kilometres.
Rio suggested taking up immediate survey so that there is no time overrun and cost escalation.
Rio also mentioned that Dimapur is the second highest revenue earning station in the north-eastern region after Guwahati, which caters to upper Assam, the Army and Para-military forces and also the State of Manipur. In this regard, he emphasised making Dimapur Railway Station into a smart station and provide all the facilities and amenities for passengers and also for loading and unloading freight in the station.
In regard to the new line between Dimapur to Tizit, Rio stated that the line goes through the foothills, which is fertile and rich in minerals and has a huge deposits of oil and coal. He, therefore, asked the ministry to take up the project on top priority.
It may be mentioned here that the lines between Dimapur to Tizit is a stretch of 257 kilometres and touches five districts - Dimapur, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon. This project was approved by the Railway Board in 2013-14, under item 21 and has been entered in the Pink Book of the Railways.
He expressed contentment over the tenders, which has been called for the development of line alignment from Dimapur to Tizit, where there is a token budget of Rs 1 crore and Rs 3.85 crores for two years and that the project has to be completed in 720 days. With the completion of the project, Rio expressed optimism that the economy of the State will be elevated and people will get the benefit.
Regarding the BG line connecting Tuli and Tuli town, covering only 9 to 10 kilometres, Rio questioned as to why the particular line was shelved on the viability aspect, when there is only 12 kilometres of railway network in Nagaland. He urged the concerned ministry to take up the matter urgently.
As regard to the Amguri, Naginimora, Furkating and Baghty valley, Rio stated that the work should be taken up on priority as this part of Nagaland is plain and can be developed without difficulty besides enhancing the economy of the people.
On the issue of Look East Policy and Act East Policy, Rio reminded that the originally proposed and planned Trans Asian Rail Network should not be abandoned. The actual plan route was from Dimapur-Kohima, Senapati-Imphal and Moreh to South East Asia, which is parallel to the National Highway. But the proposed plan was abandoned and the work of the railways started from Dimapur to Zubza without reaching Kohima.
While saying he was not against the present work, Rio suggested that the original should not be ignored.
“Our intention is, the Trans Asian Rail Network should move forward to implement the Look East Policy and the Act East Policy and it should penetrate the North-East so that the people will enjoy the benefits. We are not against the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal road but the original plan — I am repeating — should not be abandoned and it should be taken up on top priority. I hope with the increase of the budget allocation, the railway network will be expanded to cover the difficult areas including my State, Nagaland,” Rio added.