Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said the proposed international-standard upgrade of Dimapur Railway Station under the Government of India’s Amrit Bharat Station Scheme has been stalled due to the unavailability of land.
Responding to a query from MLA Nuklutoshi in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Rio provided historical context, noting that the railway station was established in 1903—predating Nagaland’s statehood in 1963 and the special provisions of Article 371(A). At that time, railway authorities had surveyed and occupied the land. However, he said over the decades, the railways’ silence allowed encroachments to multiply, with administrative authorities eventually regularizing these illegal settlements and issuing land pattas.
Rio proposed a joint meeting with railway authorities to find an amicable solution. He stressed the need for fair compensation to the landowners, though not at the “excessively high rates” currently being demanded. He emphasized the station’s critical importance as the state’s primary gateway, especially with future railway expansion planned toward Kohima and Imphal, which are expected to have smaller stations.
He urged the government to collaborate with the railways to ensure landowners receive just compensation, allowing the vital modernization project to move forward without further delay.
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Adding to the discussion, Advisor, Paiwang Konyak provided further details. He clarified that the matter is not controversial, with the state government, railways, and district administration actively working to resolve it. He noted that the central government has sanctioned ₹283 crore for the project under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, highlighting that Dimapur Railway Station is the second-highest revenue-earning station in the Northeast.
Konyak explained that a joint survey conducted in December 2025 identified landowners with structures within the railway-occupied area. He stated that these landowners are willing to surrender their land, provided they receive compensation for both the land and structures at double the actual land cost. A proposal to this effect has been sent to the Ministry of Railways, and the authorities are currently awaiting a response.
In his initial query, MLA Nuklutoshi had raised concerns about the controversy surrounding the project, pointing to a “blame game” between the government and encroachers. He warned that without an early solution, the sanctioned funds risk being diverted to other states and suggested exploring alternative locations for the project if necessary.
