Nagaland Member of Parliament S Supongmeren Jamir has urged the Ministry of Railways to restore passenger train services to Tuli, raising the long-pending issue under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha.
In his submission, Jamir said the Tuli railway line, which has served as an important rail link for the region, operated on metre gauge since the 1990s before being upgraded to broad gauge in 2000. He noted that a successful passenger trial run between Tuli and Mariani was conducted in 2007, but regular passenger services were never introduced despite the infrastructure being in place.
The Congress MP appealed to the Railways to resume passenger train services between Dimapur and Tuli, along with a parcel van, saying the move would benefit daily commuters, students, traders and the general public.
He also urged the Ministry to extend broad gauge passenger train services from Guwahati to Tuli, arguing that improved rail connectivity would strengthen transport links between Nagaland and Upper Assam while contributing to the region’s economic development.
Highlighting the route’s commercial potential, Jamir said the existing goods train service between Amguri and Tuli has been generating substantial revenue, reportedly earning nearly Rs 30 crore during the last financial year. He said the freight operations demonstrate both the operational feasibility and economic viability of the route.
Stating that there is overwhelming public demand for the restoration of passenger services, Jamir assured the Ministry of Railways of the people’s support for the initiative and urged the government to take early steps to operationalise the long-awaited rail service to Tuli.