After 100 Years Nagaland Gets Its 2nd Railway Station, CM Rio Flags Off 'Donyi Polo Express'

DIMAPUR: The state of Nagaland witnessed a historic feat after Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio flagged off the 'Donyi Polo Express' from Shokhuvi Station on Friday.

With this Nagaland got its second railway station on the Dhansari-Shokhuvi railway line after a gap of more than 100 years since Dimapur station was opened in 1903.

Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony at Shokhuvi Railway Station, the chief minister said it was a "Red Letter Day" for the state of Nagaland and congratulated the officers, engineers and staff of Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) for making the dream of Nagaland come true.

Rio hoped that the state would be benefited immensely not just economically but socially also.

He said that the passenger service and goods station provided by the Shokhuvi station would cater to the needs of the state.

Admitting the challenges faced by NFR in procuring land, the chief minister said that one cannot blame NFR for the delay, adding that the railways have faced many hindrances in acquiring land required for the construction of railway lines.

In this regard, Rio urged the people to provide support and also requested village councils, GBs, civil society organisations and leaders to come forward.

Rio said he was informed that a survey would be conducted from Zubza to New Kohima and onward to Imphal in order to fulfil the commitment of the Centre to connect all capitals with the railway line.

He also said that connecting all North East states with railways would only fulfil the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Act East' policy.

The 15817/15818 Donyi Polo Express, which used to run between Guwahati and Naharlagun (Arunachal Pradesh), is now extended to Shokhuvi, and will henceforth run as a daily train service between Shokhuvi and Naharlagun. The train will cover a distance of 440 km in 13 hrs and 40 mins. It will have stoppages at Dhansiri, Diphu, Lumding, Lanka, Hojai, and Chaparmukh stations in its extended service between Shukhovi and Guwahati.

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