Dimapur, August 26 (MTNews): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, on Friday flagged off the Donyi Polo Express Train, a passenger train service, at Shokhuvi. The daily passenger train will run from Shokhuvi in Nagaland to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh via Dhansari – Diphu- Lamding – Guwahati.
In his address, Rio stated the second railway station in the state is being established after a long gap and that it is a historic achievement and congratulated the NFR and its officials for completion of the first phase of the project.
Rio said, Molvon station at Jornapani is expected to be completed by next March/April and Phase 2 – Pherima and Phase 3 – Zubza are expected to be completed by 2023 and 2026 respectively. Rio stated that he is hopeful the railway line from Dimapur – Tizit and Dimapur – Khelma (Silchar) which is already being approved by the Government of India will be implemented soon.
Rio said that the completion of the project has been delayed due to land acquiring problems and appealed to all the GBs, public leaders and civil society to cooperate with the railway department so as to get the benefit from the connectivity. Railways being the second cheapest means of transportation, the state will get immense improvement in trade and economy specially the agriculture sector, stated the CM.
Meanwhile, Minister for PHED, Jacob Zhimomi in his speech acknowledged the vision of the Prime Minister in connecting the North Eastern states to the rest of the country.
General Manager, NFR highlighted the achievements, challenges and undertaking projects in the state.