The long-planned redevelopment of Dimapur Railway Station, one of the oldest railway stations in the Northeast, has run into serious trouble due to unresolved land encroachment issues, even though funds have already been sanctioned. Established in October 1903, the station was selected for transformation into a world-class facility under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. A sum of Rs. 283 crore was approved in 2024, and construction was originally expected to begin by March 2025. However, progress on the ground has remained slow as nearly 30 hectares of railway land out of a total 53.8 hectares are still under unauthorized occupation. Officials said the problem of encroachment has been building up since the 1960s. Despite repeated warnings from civil society groups, sustained media reports and assurances from authorities over the years, decisive action was taken only in 2023–24, which many now feel was too late.
As a result, redevelopment work is currently limited to small pockets of land where ownership is clear and uncontested. Railway sources said the first phase of construction has begun, focusing mainly on railway offices and residential quarters. These works are described as preparatory in nature and do not directly benefit passengers. Officials also pointed to three Mandirs located within the station premises as a major obstacle. These structures stand on key portions of land required for the approved master plan. The situation has become legally complicated as land pattas were reportedly issued by the state government in the name of the Mandirs, limiting the railways’ ability to act. Apart from this, rows of houses built dangerously close to railway tracks have raised serious safety concerns. Many of these fall along routes planned for double tracking and additional lines, which are essential to increase train capacity.
Railway officials from Northeast Frontier Railway said that if the entire railway land is cleared, the project could move forward quickly and in full scale. However, they stressed that eviction and land resolution lie solely with the state government and district administration. In May 2025, NFR officials informed the Naga Council Dimapur that unless land issues are resolved, the project could be reduced to minor cosmetic upgrades, and a major portion of the funds may be diverted to stations in Assam.
