The Dimapur-Kohima railway line has crossed 40 per cent physical progress, with the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) now targeting completion of the entire 78.42-km line by 2029, Indian Express reported.
The latest progress update places the long-awaited rail connection to Nagaland at 41 per cent completion, according to NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma.
The line, being constructed between Dhansiri in Assam and Zubza near Kohima, is being built through some of the region’s most difficult terrain. The project includes 20 tunnels stretching a combined 31.17 km, 27 major bridges and 149 minor bridges.
Construction has already brought rail services deeper into Nagaland in stages. The 16.5-km Dhansiri-Shokhuvi section was commissioned in October 2021, while the 14.64-km Shokhuvi-Molvom section became operational in March 2025.
Passenger services currently operate from Shokhuvi to Guwahati and Naharlagun.
The full project will comprise eight stations: Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Shokhuvi, Molvom, Pherima, Piphema, Menguzuma and Zubza. Dhansiri, Shokhuvi and Molvom have been completed so far.
NFR General Manager (Construction) Ashish Bansal recently inspected the ongoing works along the alignment, including tunnels, major bridges, station yards and other key structures.
According to NFR, construction is continuing simultaneously at multiple tunnel faces, with the railway authorities citing difficult geological conditions and terrain as major engineering challenges.
The railway line traverses Assam’s Karbi Anglong district and Nagaland’s Chümoukedima and Kohima districts. Once completed, it will provide direct rail access towards Kohima and is expected to facilitate passenger and freight movement while improving the state’s connection with markets and other parts of the Northeast.
For now, NFR’s stated target is to complete the remaining works and commission the full Dimapur-Kohima connection by 2029.
