Mizoram, which lacked rail links, will soon be linked to the rest of India
PM Modi’s vision to connect all the capitals of Northeast India with the railway network is becoming a reality.
Abhishek Byahut
Aizawl (Mizoram)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to connect all the capitals of Northeast India with the railway network is becoming a reality. After the rail network in Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam, the Northeast state Mizoram, which has never had railway connectivity before, will soon be linked to the rest of India. There is also progress on connecting rail networks from Assam to Imphal, the capital of Manipur.
Expanding rail projects in Northeast India is important for regional security, as it shares borders with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Mizoram will soon experience a historic moment with the first train running to its capital Aizawl, thanks to the completion of a 51. 38 km railway line from Bairabi to Sairang. It has stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and the terminal station Sairang ready to operate. A mere 20 km away from Aizawl, Sairang would be the main railhead of Mizoram, facilitating passenger and freight movement.
A trial run has been successful, and the rail authorities have approved the route for operation. Prime Minister Modi is expected to inaugurate this line at the end of August or September 2025.
KK Sharma, CPRO Northeast Frontier Railway, said that this project will greatly benefit the people of Mizoram economically and socially. Since 2016, passenger trains have run from Silchar in Assam to Bairabi. “Currently, the road journey from Bairabi to Aizawl takes about five to six hours. However, with the new rail service, this will reduce to just one to one and a half hours, making travel cheaper, safer, and easier, while also lowering logistics costs and providing cheaper goods in the market,” said KK Sharma, CPRO NFR
With the new rail line, people in Mizoram can travel directly to major cities like Guwahati, Kolkata, and Delhi, benefiting farmers, traders, and students, and opening up new opportunities for tourism,” he added.
Chief Engineer Vinod Kumar of Northeast Frontier Railway noted that after 11 years of hard work, the project is now complete.
“The Railway Ministry has invested around Rs 8071 crores in this project, which was approved in 2008-2009. Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone in 2014 after the survey and land acquisition were done in 2011,” Chief Engineer Vinod Kumar said.
Kumar explained that constructing the Bairabi-Sairang line was challenging due to the region’s heavy rainfall, which limited work to about four to five months each year. The railway line passes through hilly areas, deep valleys, and gorges, complicating construction. It required significant logistics efforts due to traffic disruptions and transporting materials to the site.
The project includes 48 tunnels, 55 large rail bridges, 87 small rail bridges, and several road bridges. Notably, bridge number 196 is the second highest rail bridge in India, standing 104 meters tall as example higher than the Qutub Minar, a standing testament to the engineering wonder that this project is. All bridges are built with earthquake-resistant technology,” the official added.
Recently, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced that the central government approved a Rajdhani Express service from Aizawl to Delhi. Soon, direct rail services will also connect Aizawl with Kolkata and Agartala, significantly improving transportation options for the state.
Sairang railway station is being developed with modern facilities and will serve as a model station for the Northeast. The introduction of railways in Mizoram marks a significant development for the region and national integration, making it a proud moment not just for Mizoram but for the entire nation.
