Our Reporter
Dimapur, Feb. 27 (EMN): In order to improve rail connectivity in the North East states, the Ministry of Railways increased the fund allocation for the North East region by 244% in the last seven years with INR 5,842 crore as the average fund allocation per year.
The Ministry reported that the developmental works in Nagaland from 2014 to 2021 includes Dimapur – Kohima (Zubza) new line (82.50 km) at a cost of INR 5,806 crore which is targeted to be completed by March 2023.
However a few weeks back, Chief Administrative Officer, North East Railways Maligaon, HS Yadav who was in Kohima, had stated that phase 2 (28 km) from Shukhovi to Pherima is expected to be completed by July 2023, while phase 3 (38 km) from Pherima to Zubza by March 2026.
In Sep.2021 when General Manager of North East Frontal Railway (NFR) Anshul Gupta visited Dimapur, he had said that the ongoing construction work of the Dimapur-Zubza railway line is likely to be completed by 2026 but the NFR is ‘trying hard to reduce the time period’.
As per the Ministry’s report, there will be eight stations and 31 km of tunnelling work in this project with 22 major and 165 minor bridges. 35 road over bridges/ road under bridges will be constructed in this project. The final location survey for Dimapur – Tizit new line (257 km) at a cost of INR 4274 is in progress, it maintained.
The survey for a new line between Furkating – Baghty valley (24.10 km in Nagaland, 23.30 km in Assam; total= 47.40 km) has been completed.
The passenger waiting hall was also improved at Dimapur railway station at a cost of INR 1.60 crore during 2019-20 with a nursing room at INR 10/hr, improvement of platforms number 2 and 3 by providing passenger platform (PP) sheds and water vats, etc at a cost of INR 1.90 crore.
The Ministry maintained that the resurgence of northeast through railways was achieved with projects commissioned for 402 km new line; 1119 km gauge conversion; 150 km double line; survey of 1,178 km new line ; and INR 41,599 crore capital expenditure in the last seven years.
23 new line projects are progress in the region with 1,913 km under construction, 12 double line project under construction (630 km); anticipated expenditure of INR 1,18,812 crore; nine new line national projects; 5,158 km new broad gauge line to be added; and all state capitals of the Northeast to be connected with broad gauge lines.
Further, it maintained that the highlights of this achievement has provided large number of jobs for gainful employment of locals; 100% elimination of unmanned level crossing gates; mechanised cleaning of all stations started from October 2, 2018; divyang toilets (toilets for physically handicapped persons) provided in 257 stations; free high-speed WiFi at all nominated stations; 23 lifts at nine stations and 30 more to be provided at 21 stations; and 18 escalators at eight stations and 12 more to be provided at four stations.
