Dimapur; November 2026: Yesterday (Saturday – 14th November 2026), Pongshi Phom, Advisor to Airway and Railway, Government of Nagaland, has addressed the media representatives asserting that the much-awaited Dimapur-Kohima railway line project is targeted for full completion by December 2029, following an inspection team reviewed the progress of the project. As reiterated by the inspection team, the project has achieved 50% of physical progress and 45.98% financial progress, with the total expenditure incurred up to October 31, 2026, amounted to Rs. 7,176.48 crore.
A team comprising officials from the Northeast Frontier Railway and representatives of Nagaland government inspected various locations, including Zubza, Piphema, Pherima and Molvom to assess the ongoing construction work.They have inspected proposed railway station sites, tunnel sections, bridges and locations where railway tracks are to be installed.
Sanctioned in May 2007, the Dimapur–Kohima railway line project construction work commenced during 2015–16 financial year. Covering a total length of 78.42 kilometres, the project has 20 tunnels, of which eight have been completed. The longest tunnel measures approximately 6,620 metres (6.62 km), it was informed.
Construction work for this longest tunnel had commenced in the mid of March, 2024, in Portal 1 of Tunnel No. 7 within the Dimapur-Kohima New Rail Line Project, situated in Tsiepama village of Medziphema circle in Chümoukedima district forming an integral part of the 82.50 km-long railway line project, with 2.75 km traversing through Assam and 79.75 km through Nagaland.To access Portal 1, a 12 km approach road has been constructed through the hills, linking it to Tsiepama village as per railway public relation officials.
There are 29 major bridges, of which 15 have been completed, and 151 minor bridges, with 138 completed, it stated, adding that the longest bridge measures 551.60 metres. The project also includes emergency escape or auxiliary tunnels to provide an alternative passage during emergencies.
“The railway line will have eight (08) stations, with four (04) stations at Dhansiri, Dhansiripar, Sukhovi and Molvom already completed. Pherima and Zubza are among the other key station locations under the project, with Molvom serving as an important station”, the inspection team has submitted its internal report. It added that the proposed extension of the railway line from Zubza towards Imphal, Manipur, is also being explored, with survey work and consultations with consultants underway for the future connectivity plan.
Team Maverick.
