In response to the railway matter discussed in the sixth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 6th March 2025, All India Congress Committee Minority Department National Coordinator and Nagaland Congress leader Rajesh Kumar Sethi has said that the methods being implemented for the purpose of modernizing the Dimapur Railway Station “raises serious concerns”.

While welcoming the proposal of a developing the station into a world-class facility, Sethi questioned the methods of “issuing eviction notices and uprooting long-established communities”. He stated that “the people who have lived and worked in the area for over a century have played a crucial role in Dimapur’s development. Labeling them as encroachers and displacing them in the name of progress is unjust and unacceptable.”

Sethi added that it is highly concerning that the Government of Nagaland, after issuing Pattas (land ownership documents) to stakeholders, is now asking for their cancellation and stressed that the government must first acknowledge its own accountability instead of holding its officers accountable for mismanagement. The Congress leader maintained that it was an attempt to cover administrative failures at the cost of citizens’ rights and livelihoods.

Further, Sethi suggested that a more practical alternative is to have a new Dimapur Railway Station near Rangapahar, which he said would:

“1. Encourage Urban Expansion – A new station in a different location would drive infrastructure development, attract investments, and create new business opportunities.

2. Generate Employment – The construction and operation of a new railway station would create jobs, boosting the local economy.

3. Minimize Social and Financial Hardships – Avoiding mass evictions and demolitions would prevent distress among families and business owners while ensuring a more sustainable approach to development.

4. Reduce Congestion – A second railway station would help decongest the existing one, improving efficiency and passenger convenience.”

The Congress leader also pointed out improvements in basic facilities that are urgently needed at the existing railway station in Dimapur, including:

• Installation of Escalators for easy movement between platforms, especially for senior citizens, women, and differently-abled individuals.

• Broadening of Platforms 2 & 3 by removing one track to enhance passenger safety and comfort.

• Complete Roofing Over Platforms 2 & 3 to protect passengers from harsh weather conditions.