ACAUT Slams Nagaland Government’s ‘Shocking Neglect’ of Dimapur Railway Station: A Call for Urgent Action
Dimapur, October 10 (MExN): The ACAUT Nagaland has critiqued the State Government for its perceived indifference towards aiding the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in redeveloping Dimapur Railway Station into a “world-class” facility, supported by a Rs. 283 crore fund. The redevelopment project, initially set to begin on April 20, has been delayed due to the State Government’s inaction in evicting illegal settlers, according to an ACAUT press release. Despite handling nearly 10,000 passengers and generating the second highest revenue for the NFR, the station has faced decades of neglect, ACAUT claims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the redevelopment of 508 railway stations nationwide on August 6, 2023, but Dimapur’s progress remains stalled due to land encroachments. ACAUT highlights that 30.283 hectares of the 53.806 hectares of railway land are encroached upon. The inability of the Nagaland Government to remove illegal settlers or negotiate alternative solutions, such as relocating the station, complicates progress further.
Reportedly, despite NFR’s appeals for state intervention, a detailed joint survey of encroached lands has yet to occur, potentially jeopardizing the project. If issues persist, the NFR might reroute the development to a station in nearby Assam, reducing Dimapur to a transit station and forcing local traders and passengers to rely on Assam’s facilities. This shift could result in substantial economic losses for Nagaland’s residents and businesses.
ACAUT emphasizes the project’s potential to enhance passenger experience and create local jobs, underscoring the importance of government action. The group urges the Nagaland Government to promptly evict settlers, demolish unauthorized structures, and transfer the cleared land to Indian Railways to uphold the rule of law and justice. Failure to act, ACAUT warns, could mark another missed opportunity for the state.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/acaut-flays-nagaland-governments-lack-of-commitment-for-dimapur-railway-station
Category : Nagaland
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