Guwahati, March 29: The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Sumeet Singhal, has approved train operations on the newly constructed 14.64 km broad gauge (BG) railway line between Shokhuvi and Molvom in Nagaland. The authorization follows a successful statutory inspection conducted on March 27 and 28, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing 82.50 km Dimapur-Kohima railway project.
Accompanied by key officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), including Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) Anjani Kumar, Chief Engineer Ashutosh Kumar Mishra, and Deputy Chief Engineer Vikas Singh, CRS Singhal inspected the newly laid section. The railway line has been cleared for operations at a maximum speed of 90 kmph following a rigorous speed trial.
The Dimapur-Kohima rail project is a transformative infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity in Nagaland and its neighbouring states. The railway line originates from Dhansiri in Assam and extends to Zubza near Kohima, covering 79.75 km in Nagaland and 2.75 km in Assam. Upon full completion, the railway will offer seamless transport options for passengers and freight, significantly reducing travel time and transportation costs.
The project includes eight new stations—Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Shokhuvi, Molvom, Pherima, Piphema, Menguzuma, and Zubza—along with 27 major bridges, 149 minor bridges, five road overbridges, 15 road underpasses, and 20 tunnels spanning 31 km. The Dhansiri-Shokhuvi section (16.5 km) was commissioned in October 2021, paving the way for passenger services from Shokhuvi to Naharlagun (Arunachal Pradesh) and Mendipathar (Meghalaya).
The completion of the Shokhuvi-Molvom section will provide a major boost to local industries, trade, and tourism in Nagaland. Improved connectivity will enable the better movement of essential goods and passengers, fostering economic growth in the region. The project is expected to lower transportation costs, make logistics more efficient for businesses, and improve access to markets for small-scale industries.
As the Northeast undergoes a rapid railway expansion, the Dimapur-Kohima rail project is a key component of the broader regional development strategy. With its potential to revolutionize trade, commerce, and mobility, the railway network in Nagaland is set to be a cornerstone of economic progress, aligning with the government’s vision for infrastructural development in the Northeast by 2030.
