Dimapur Railway Station Modernization: Sethi Criticizes Evictions, Proposes Alternative Site

Congress leader said it is alarming that the Government of Nagaland, after granting Pattas (land ownership documents) to stakeholders, is now seeking their cancellation. He questioned the government’s accountability, asking who had authorized these Pattas and why no action was being taken against the officials responsible

By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent

All India Congress Committee (AICC) Minority Department National Coordinator in-charge of Manipur, and Nagaland Congress leader Rajesh Kumar Sethi has expressed concerns regarding the railway matter discussed in the Nagaland Assembly on March 6 during the ongoing 14th NLA session. In response, Sethi welcomed the proposal to modernize Dimapur Railway Station into a world-class facility, recognizing its potential to improve infrastructure and connectivity in Nagaland.

However, he criticized the method being adopted, specifically the issuance of eviction notices and displacement of long-established communities. He argued that the people residing and working in the area for over a century have significantly contributed to Dimapur’s development. Labeling them as encroachers and displacing them in the name of progress, he said, is unjust and unacceptable.

In a press release on Friday, Sethi stated that it is alarming that the Government of Nagaland, after granting Pattas (land ownership documents) to stakeholders, is now seeking their cancellation. He questioned the government’s accountability, asking who had authorized these Pattas and why no action was being taken against the officials responsible. Instead of addressing administrative failures, he claimed, the government is unfairly shifting the burden onto the people, forcing them to suffer displacement.

As a practical alternative, Sethi proposed constructing a new Dimapur Railway Station near Rangapahar. He urged the authorities to consider this option instead of investing heavily in demolitions and compensation. He outlined several benefits of this alternative:

1. Encouraging Urban Expansion – A new station in a different location would spur infrastructure development, attract investments, and create new business opportunities.
2. Generating Employment – The construction and operation of a new railway station would create jobs, boosting the local economy.
3. Minimizing 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. Reducing Congestion – A second railway station would help decongest the existing one, improving efficiency and passenger convenience.

Immediate Improvements Needed at the Existing Dimapur Station

While discussions on a new station progress, Sethi emphasized the urgent need for upgrades at the existing Dimapur Railway Station, addressing long-pending demands:

• Installation of Escalators for easier movement between platforms, especially benefiting 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.

Sethi urged the authorities to take a balanced, people-centric approach to development—one that prioritizes the well-being of the communities that have built and sustained Dimapur for generations. He stressed that progress must not come at the cost of displacement and hardship.