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The inauguration of Mizoram’s first-ever railway line — the Bairabi–Sairang Broad-Gauge Project — marks a historic milestone in the state’s connectivity and India’s Act East Policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 51.38-km line, constructed at a cost of ?8,070 crore, connecting Mizoram’s capital Aizawl to the national railway network for the first time.

A 15-Year Vision Realised

• Sanctioned in 2008–09 and launched for construction in 2015, the project exemplifies one of the most complex undertakings of the Indian Railways due to Mizoram’s mountainous terrain and fragile geology.
• Nearly 54% of the alignment passes through tunnels and bridges, making it a remarkable feat of engineering. The route comprises 45–48 tunnels, 142 bridges (including 55 major and 87 minor ones), and 10 road overpasses/underpasses.
• Among its iconic structures is Bridge No. 144 (or 196) near Sairang, which stands over 104–114 metres tall, surpassing the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar and making it India’s tallest pier railway bridge.
• The project also introduced four new stations — Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang — linking remote communities and enhancing regional mobility.

Connecting Aizawl to the National Network

The line stretches from Bairabi on the Assam–Mizoram border to Sairang, located just 20 km from Aizawl, thereby integrating Mizoram’s capital into India’s railway map. With this, Aizawl becomes the fourth northeastern capital (after Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar) to gain direct rail connectivity, strengthening socio-economic linkages between the Northeast and the rest of India.

Boosting Regional Connectivity and Economic Growth

The newly inaugurated line will facilitate safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation, reducing travel time and improving the movement of goods such as food grains, fertilizers, and essential commodities. It is also expected to stimulate tourism, horticulture, and local industries, generating employment and boosting livelihoods.

The Prime Minister also flagged off three new long-distance train services —

• Sairang–Delhi Rajdhani Express,
• Sairang–Guwahati Express, and
• Sairang–Kolkata Express —further enhancing the state’s integration with major urban centres.

Engineering Challenges and Innovations

Constructing railways across Mizoram’s steep ridges and fragile hills required advanced tunnelling techniques and innovative stabilization methods. Engineers had to solidify loose sand into rock formations before tunnelling. The passenger trains can now run at speeds up to 100 km/h, reflecting the project’s high safety and design standards.

Complementary Infrastructure Initiatives

Alongside the rail inauguration, infrastructure projects worth ?9,000 crore were launched under schemes like PM-DevINE and NESIDS, including:

• Aizawl Bypass Road (45 km),
• Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, and
• Khankawn–Rongura Road, aimed at improving connectivity for farmers, traders, and industries.

Additionally, the Chhimtuipui Bridge under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project, an LPG bottling plant at Mualkhang, sports complexes, and Eklavya residential schools were announced to promote economic growth and human development.

Strategic and Policy Significance

The Bairabi–Sairang line is a critical component of India’s Act East Policy, designed to enhance connectivity and integration of the Northeast with Southeast Asia. It embodies India’s commitment to balanced regional development, national security, and border area empowerment.

By overcoming formidable terrain and logistical hurdles, the project stands as a testament to India’s infrastructural capabilities and its vision for an inclusive, connected, and self-reliant Northeast.