Staff Reporter
In view of rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases, the State government has requested the Railway authorities to stop all passenger trains at Dimapur station with effect from May 6. In this regard, train services to Dimapur has been suspended, senior divisional commercial manager, Lumding Ashok Kumar Dey informed Nagaland Post. According to Railway authorities, chief secretary Nagaland had written to the chairman & CEO of the Railway Board requesting the latter to suspend train services to and from Dimapur. As an alternative measure, the DCM said that except Dimapur station, the stoppage will be at Diphu station, Rangapahar (Assam), Bokajan and Khatkahti station. (See table) Citing the chief secretary’s letter, the Lumding division has also written to the GM/ PRS/CRIS New Delhi to stop booking of all incoming and outgoing trains at Dimapur to avoid inconvenience to the passengers. In the letter, the Lumding division pointed out that based on the report of future boarding/de-boarding of passengers from May 9 to September 5, it was estimated that a total of 14573 passengers were expected to travel (7312 boarding and 7261 de-boarding). In Dimapur, an average of 61 passengers board and 60 passengers deboard the trains on a daily basis (data based on 120 days). Further, the division has also proposed to impose restriction for booking of parcel packages, demand VP and livestock for Dimapur till withdrawal of