On the historic occasion of Nagaland rail connectivity, after a gap of more than 100 years, the second railway terminal passenger service started today on 26 August 2022 for the first time from Shokhuvi Railway Station on Dhansari-Shokhuvi.
The railway extension line Donyi Polo Express was flagged-off by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today from Shokhuvi Station in the presence of Paiwang Konyak – Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Railways, Land Resources, S. Phangnon Konyak Rajya Sabha MP, Tokeho Yepthomi. Lok Sabha MP Jacob Zhimomi - Minister of Public Health Engineering, Shri Anshul Gupta, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway and Divisional Railway Manager, Lumding Division, Shri J.S. Lakra and other dignitaries were present.
The Chief Minister of Nagaland said that after a gap of more than 100 years since the opening of Dimapur station in 1903, Nagaland is getting a second railway station on the Dhansari-Sokhuvi railway line. The new service will provide an alternate route to Nagaland and Manipur. Commuters to and from Guwahati. The Chief Minister said that this connectivity would help in transporting agricultural products from Nagaland to the buyers directly and would boost the economic development of the state.
Shri Paiwang Konyak - Nagaland Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation & Railways, Land Resources appreciated the efforts of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), NST Department and village elders for timely completion during the inaugural service of the first phase 0-16.50. Railway connectivity from Dimapur (Dhansiripar) to Kohima (Jubja). Doni Polo Express will run from Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh to Shokhuvi on daily basis. It is an alternate route for Nagaland and Manipur travellers to Guwahati.
The introduction of this train service from Shokhuvi is a major step toward improving connectivity and facilitating the development of the state of Nagaland. This will not only enable travellers from Nagaland to travel for work, education and health care needs, but also as a means of strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties of the people.