Kohima, March 9 (NationPress) The Central government has allocated Rs 283 crore for the enhancement of the 123-year-old Dimapur railway station in Nagaland, as announced by a state Minister during the Assembly session on Monday.

Addressing the Assembly about the Dimapur railway station's status, Health and Family Welfare Minister P. Pawang Konyak mentioned that the Centre has dedicated funds for the upgrade of this significant railway hub.

He further stated that Dimapur station is the second-largest revenue-generating railway station in the Northeast region.

Minister Konyak also informed the House that both the relevant department and landowners have reached out to the Ministry of Railways requesting compensation, and they are currently awaiting a reply.

Located approximately 70 km from the state capital Kohima, Dimapur serves as Nagaland's main commercial center.

During the discussion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio emphasized the importance of resolving land-related issues surrounding the historic station, highlighting that the state must seize the chance to develop and expand this critical rail hub.

Chief Minister Rio noted that the Dimapur Railway Station, which opened its doors in 1903, is over 120 years old and predates Nagaland's establishment as a state in 1963.

He explained that, at that time, certain constitutional laws regarding land ownership in the state were not in effect, and railway authorities had already occupied and surveyed the land long before the state's formation.

Over the years, while railway authorities remained largely inactive, instances of encroachment have gradually increased, according to Chief Minister Rio.

He pointed out that some encroachments have been regularized by administrative authorities over time, adding further complexity to the current situation.

Rio stressed the need for constructive dialogue between the state government and the Indian Railways to reach a mutually agreeable solution, particularly concerning compensation or alternative arrangements for affected landowners.

However, he cautioned that compensation requests should not be excessively high.

The modernisation of the Dimapur railway station was a key topic during the eighth session of the Nagaland Assembly on Monday, with several members bringing attention to land-related challenges and the necessity for a harmonious resolution to advance the project.

At the beginning of the discussion, National People's Party MLA Nuklutoshi raised concerns about the negligence displayed by various stakeholders, questioning why the Northeast Frontier Railway had remained silent for years as illegal structures emerged on railway land.

He noted that there are currently three potential options: compensating for the resettlement of settlers, forcibly evicting them, or relocating the railway station.

Despite ongoing railway expansion projects towards Kohima and other areas, MLA Nuklutoshi remarked that those stations will be smaller, with Dimapur continuing to function as the primary railway station for the state.