Kohima: The Nagaland Tribes Council is demanding an immediate government investigation into the Dimapur-Kohima railway project. The group wants state officials and Nagaland’s two MPs to act. Costs for the Dhansiri-Zubza line ballooned from an original estimate of 850 crore rupees to a reported 6,663.20 crore rupees. NTC president C Pankathung Lotha and general secretary C Onen Walling filed an urgent appeal seeking a full breakdown of physical and financial progress.
Construction began back in 2006-07. Progress stalled. The council claims the project shows less than 25 percent completion despite two decades of work. The group described the situation as a matter of concern. The project alignment changed seven times during this period, and two different construction agencies held contracts. According to the NTC, officials procured tools and materials from the US that proved unsuitable for the site. They are calling for an FIR and criminal charges if the probe finds evidence of wrongdoing.
Public records for the project remain scarce. The NTC noted a total lack of reported progress after May 2020. The council also flagged the slow pace of the Dimapur railway station upgrade, noting that only 7 percent of that work is finished. They urged authorities to hit the two-year deadline for the remaining work. "The council said completion of the railway link would significantly improve connectivity between Dimapur and Kohima and facilitate the movement of passengers and goods." The group is now calling on civil society organizations to join the push against further wastage of public funds.
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