Guwahati, 23 January (HS): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is continuing construction at a steady pace on the strategically significant Dimapur (Dhansiri)–Kohima (Zubza) New Railway Line Project, a landmark initiative that will connect Nagaland’s capital city, Kohima, to the national railway network for the first time.

The 78.42-km project passes through Karbi Anglong district of Assam and Chumukedima and Kohima districts of Nagaland. It envisages eight stations—Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Shokhuvi, Molvom, Pherima, Piphema, Menguzuma and Zubza—of which Dhansiri, Shokhuvi and Molvom have already been completed.

The alignment involves complex engineering challenges, including the construction of 20 tunnels spanning a total length of 31,169 metres, 27 major bridges and 149 minor bridges. NFR officials said substantial progress has already been achieved on several of these critical structures.

The project has been commissioned in phases, with the Dhansiri–Shokhuvi section (16.5 km) becoming operational in October 2021, followed by the Shokhuvi–Molvom section (14.64 km) in March 2025. At present, regular train services operate from Shokhuvi, linking it with Guwahati in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh, offering safer and more reliable connectivity for passengers.

With the commissioning of Molvom station, Nagaland now has its third major railway station. The station also began freight operations in September 2025, further strengthening logistics and trade movement in the state.

Officials said the new rail link is expected to bring wide-ranging socio-economic benefits by improving access to education, healthcare, employment and markets, while reducing reliance on road transport through a more comfortable, affordable and time-efficient travel option. Work on the remaining sections is underway and NFR has set a target to complete the entire Dimapur–Kohima (Zubza) railway line by 2029, marking a historic boost to connectivity and development in the region.---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash