Dimapur Railway Station to get additional freight complex

The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Lumding Division, Niraj Kumar, on Friday unveiled a plague for the construction of an additional freight station (goods yard) at the Dimapur Railway Station.

"Dimapur is an important town connecting all of Nagaland and outside, and is also the most important goods yards of Lumding division. Therefore, the North East Frontier Railways (NFR) is adding another goods handling facility to increase flexibility," Kumar said.

Kumar also announced the long-awaited broadening and construction of the platform shed between railway track 2 and 3 by extending track 3 further.

It may be recalled that former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi had during his visit to the Dimapur station in 2011, directed department officials to construct a platform shed on the remaining two platforms. However, this couldn't be materialized as both platforms were said to be too narrow to accommodate the sheds.

The Dimapur Railway Station reportedly earns the second highest revenue for the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) next to Guwahati station.

However, the Dimapur Railway Station is invaded by gamblers, peddlers and other anti-social elements, and because of poor policing, it has also earned notoriety.

Recently, security metal detectors were installed at the entrances of the railway station.

Kumar's visit to Dimapur on Friday is part of the Indian Railway Ministry's 15-day drive to carry out 23 different activities to celebrate the first year of the NDA Government.

Kumar also used the occasion to pull up railway officials in Dimapur over certain prohibited activities within the station. During inspection, he found a shop on platform no-1 selling tobacco products and mineral water priced above the MRP. The shop keeper was immediately fined, his items seized, while railway officials received a harsh reprimand for their negligence.

Kumar also directed the Government Railway Protection Force (GPRF) to tighten security inside the railway station after the media highlighted cases of passengers being frequently harassed and anti social activities occurring inside the station.

He also inspected the ongoing beautification and expansion plans of the Dimapur Railway Station.