Minister announces new train for NE
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, September 12 2011:
Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi has announced the introduction of a new express train, the Nagaland Express, connecting Dimapur with Guwahati, which will cover the distance between Dimapur and Guwahati in four hours.
Trivedi, who was on his maiden visit to Nagaland since September 11, said the Nagaland Express would start running from November 15 and it would leave Dimapur at 6 am, while the return journey would commence at 5 pm from Guwahati.
Dimapur station is the only railway station for Nagaland and Manipur.
The Union Minister and his officials had an hour-long meeting with Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio his cabinet colleagues, Lok Sabha Member from Nagaland C M Chang, Rajya Sabha Member Khekiho Zhimomi and state government officials.
After the meeting, the Railway Minister said the idea behind his visit to Nagaland was to start a process of dialogue.
He said to announce lots of projects during the Railway Budget without knowing the ground realities is difficult.
He said the whole idea was to find out what is required at the ground level.
Trivedi's visit to Nagaland had raised lots of hopes for the pending projects, especially the Railway Project from Dimapur to Zubza (near Kohima) and foothills railway line from Dimapur to Tizit, connecting five districts of Nagaland.
He assured the Nagaland Government that these projects would be taken care of once the hurdles coming in the way of its implementation are cleared.
Expressing happiness, Nagaland Chief Minister and his colleagues gave concrete suggestions and ideas.
Trivedi promised to implement those projects.
He, however, said some projects need long term planning, which would definitely be worked out.
Meanwhile, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has said that the introduction of Nagaland Express between Dimapur and Guwahati from November would be a big relief, especially to the business community of Nagaland.
Expressing happiness over Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi' s visit to the state and announcing the new train service, Mr Rio said they had discussion on the long pending case of Dimapur-Zubza (near Kohima) railway project.
He said the land compensation issue, which has delayed the project was discussed and the state government has promised the Railway Ministry that in three months time, it would discuss with the land owners and settle it.
Stating that the railway project should not be a burden to the Ministry, the Chief Minister hoped that the landowners would be reasonable, as the Ministry has agreed to pay what it has agreed to pay to Mizoram.
It is reasonable and hope the land owners will be reasonable, he said.
Highlighting about another project announced in the Railway Budget earlier, Mr Rio said the foothill railway line from Dimapur to Tizit would pass through five districts of NagalandDimapur, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon.
He said this would benefit the farmers, mineral exploration and also the Tuli Paper Mill for transportation of raw materials.
Once it is done, it will change the face and economy of the state and the people, he added.
Mr Rio said the proposed Dimapur-Zubza line should not be terminated at Zubza, but be extended to Kohima and also be further extended to Imphal and the international border keeping in view the Look East Policy of the Centre.
He requested the Railway minister to understand the problems being faced by the educated and unemployed youths in the recruitment process of the railways.
He said youths from Nagaland are not getting opportunities even when recruitment procedures are held within the Northeastern region.
He urged the Union minister to take some firm steps which would enable the youths from smaller states and tribal areas to get recruitment into the railways and make gainful careers in this institution.
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