BAN moots for up-gradation of Tuli Railway station

January 21, 2024 30 Views No Comment

Panel discussion on “Leveraging Nagaland’s potential by boosting logistics”

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 21

The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) raised the subject on the up-gradation of the Tuli Railway station, which has been languishing for more than a decade, despite generating a revenue of about 31 crores between 2020-24 financial year, according to their estimates. They mentioned that the station holds a vast potential not just for transporting goods but to cater to the needs of the people in several districts of Nagaland mostly on the Eastern side.

The issue was raised during the panel discussion on “Leveraging Nagaland’s potential by boosting logistics” held at Senden Riju, Dimapur on January 20. This was part of the ongoing second Nagaland International Trade Expo (NITex).

The association stated that the feasibility of reintroducing passenger services from Tuli is immense considering the daily bus services operating from Dimapur to the far-flung districts of Nagaland, that takes about 12 hours. In addition, they assessed that though the Tuli station currently hauls only goods, yet the revenue generated amounted to Rs 58,54,615 in 2020-21, Rs 12,68,87,919 in 2021-22, Rs 15,90,81,209 in 2022-23 and Rs 24 crores in 2023-24 financial years.

Besides the abundance of mineral resources (crude oil, stone, timber & bamboo), they claimed further that the station can be utilized as a transit centre of FCI, oil depot, livestock, military transit, supply of organic fruits and vegetables among many others.

As such, they appealed to the railway authorities “to upgrade Tuli Railway station to a fully automated railway station with 3-line; and a passenger train with parcel van from Tuli to Guwahati at least 6 days a week.”

The discussion had in attendance, KK Sharma, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager , Northeast Frontier Railways, Geetha Sahu, Dimapur Airport Director, Praloy Goswami, Regional Manager of Blue Dart Express Limited, Kikamanen Jamir, Managing Director of Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation, Lipongse Thongtsar, Additional Director, State Department of Industries and Commerce and Ababe Ezung, OSD, Transport.
The discussion revolved around the key sectors vital in the logistics hub of the state which include railways, air and inland waterway connectivity. All the panelists were in agreement that Nagaland’s potential for export lies in its perishable goods.

Expansion of Dimapur airport in the pipeline
Sahu during her address stated that expansion of Dimapur airport is in the pipeline and will be implemented through a master plan for phase 1 and phase 2. As of now, she revealed that there was no AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd (AAICLAS) in Dimapur, for transporting cargo mainly due to not enough goods being transport via air.

Nevertheless, she reported that Indigo lifts about 500 kg of goods in winter and 1000 kg during summer per day, with Air India transporting about 800 kg on an average, mostly betel nuts.

Blue Dart to launch daily aircraft cargo service
Praloy Goswami, meanwhile announced that Blue Dart will be launching a dedicated daily aircraft service for cargo transportation from January 29 onwards. Earlier it was on and off time, he said but once the service is launched, goods from the NE to the other parts of India will be possible and will be a big game changer.

KK Sharma as a representative from the railways reported that with the new construction of a railway station at Shokhuvi, more connections are in the works, including at Molvom, Pherima, Zubza and a new line from New Kohima to Imphal as well.

Ababe Ezung, pointed out the misconception that there are no cargos from Nagaland as it is actually due to the lack of proper connectivity between the districts. He suggested that unless an action plan was done such as building airstrips for transporting cargo goods from the interior districts, the state’s export potential will continue to languish.

Kikameren Jamir also talked about the vast untapped natural resources present within the state and invited interested individuals to invest for mineral exploration.