NPP Legislator Nuklutoshi during the supplementary question hour on March 6 during the sixth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) mentioned that that the minister in charge had provided a beautifully crafted response, Indicating that a world-class railway station would soon be developed but he supplemented his questions by asking:”Did the authorities cancel the land patta issued earlier to those with illegal documents?Has any eviction exercise been carried out so far?”
In response to the supplementary questions, Minister of Health and Family Welfare P. Paiwang Konyak explained that the Government of India, through the Ministry of Railways under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, has allocated ₹283 crores for the development of Dimapur Railway Station in 2024. The development is planned in two phases: Phase 1 for the front side of the station and Phase 2 for the backside. However, he noted that there are 92 encroachers in Phase 1 and 1,067 encroachers in Phase 2, with 40 court cases pending—39 under the Dimapur District Judge and one in the Guwahati High Court Kohima Bench.
Konyak clarified that the land patta could not be canceled as the occupants had taken the matter to court. Regarding eviction, he stated that no action had been taken due to ongoing litigation.
Nuklutoshi responded by expressing concern that Naga society has become distorted and emphasized the urgent need to develop the railway station and other areas. He suggested that if the development of Dimapur Railway Station is not feasible, the funds should be redirected to Tuli, as the people in that area are also in dire need of such benefits.
P. Paiwang Konyak elaborated on the Dimapur Railway Station development project, stating that the government has taken several initiatives, particularly under the leadership of the House. During a meeting on April 27, 2023, between the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and the Chief Minister, it was decided that, given Nagaland’s special status under Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, the NFR would compensate for land properties based on prolonged occupation to avoid hampering development. A spot verification was conducted, and the tentative cost for land and structure damages was estimated at approximately ₹132 crores. However, the NFR expressed its inability to pay this compensation.
A consultative meeting on January 29, 2005, decided that the NFR would submit a list of encroachers along with patta documents under the modernization master plan. A joint survey would then be conducted, and the report submitted to the state government for further action. Due to prolonged occupation, Konyak said, the state government proposed a resettlement plan, which the railways should consider. He also warned that the project might stall, and funds could be diverted if land issues are not resolved. To avoid this, work will begin on land currently free from encroachment by March 2025, with tenders already being processed.
Regarding the Amguri to Tuli railway station, Konyak stated that only goods carriers are operational, as passenger services were discontinued due to low revenue. However, the department has consistently urged the NFR to resume passenger services. Nuklutoshi pointed out that the Minister had assured the resumption of services in the last assembly session, but no progress had been made. He highlighted that the station’s location in the middle of a jungle, with no rest houses or nearby inhabited areas, discourages passenger use.
BJP Legislator A. Panjung Jamir, representing Tuli, echoed these concerns, describing the station’s location as “improper” and its timing as “odd.” He requested the Leader of the House to extend the railway station 10–12 km towards Tuli town for public convenience.
P.Paiwang Konyak replied that the department had pursued the matter rigorously, and the NFR had agreed to construct the railway extension to Tuli town provided the state government shared the construction cost. However, the state declined due to the high estimated cost of ₹109.25 crores (as of 2010). He assured that the matter would be taken up with the ministry to fulfill the people’s desires.
Leader of the House Neiphiu Rio acknowledged that land issues have slowed development in Nagaland. He noted that while Article 371(A) provides protections, it is being misused, creating problems for our own state and appealed for public cooperation and urged landowners to support the government’s efforts for state development.
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Rio emphasized that the Dimapur Railway Station upgrade is part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aiming to bring it to international standards. He admitted past mistakes in land allotment and highlighted that while some encroachers hold valid pattas, many do not. He suggested resettlement as a better option than compensation, as the government cannot pay market rates. Rio stressed the importance of upgrading Dimapur, Nagaland’s only commercial city, and called for public support to achieve this goal. He also mentioned that because of such various issues , we are losing our revenues to the neighbouring states . He cautioned that stringent measures might be necessary if cooperation is lacking.
Regarding the Tuli to Dimapur railway project, Rio mentioned that upon his government’s request, the Ministry of Railways approved the project in 2011–12, with annual budget provisions allocated since then. However, he clarified that the project can only move forward if the state provides land free of cost but when the government discussed this with local communities, they insisted that the foothill road must be completed before they would agree to relinquish their land. Rio assured that the project is already included in the railway budget, with provisions in place, and has been approved by the railway board. He pledged to revisit the matter and engage with the people of the region once again.
Rio emphasized that it is high time to develop the foothill road, railway stations, highways, and other infrastructure to kickstart economic activities. He reminded the members of the august house that a policy decision had already been taken: if tribal hohos and landowners provide no-objection certificates and grant permission, commercial activities led by the youth under entrepreneurial initiatives would be established in designated areas. These areas would be termed “Nagaland Special Economic Development Zones.” And cited the example of Chathe Valley, spanning 39 square kilometers, proposed as the “Naga ki Global City” due to its strategic location under the Look East Policy and Act East Policy.
Rio highlighted the numerous opportunities available but noted that these are new concepts requiring a shift in mindset. He expressed concern that Nagas are obstructing their own progress, with too much focus on associations and discussions rather than action. He pointed out the potential in sectors like petroleum, minerals, and even hilly areas, stating, “Nagas are caught in a situation. We are a rich state, but we have decided to remain poor. Let us blame ourselves.”
Rio appealed for the cooperation and support of civil societies and tribal hohos, assuring that together, they can build a rich, prosperous, and vibrant state.
