NextFin news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram's first railway line, the Bairabi-Sairang rail line, in Aizawl, Mizoram. This 51.38-km rail line connects Mizoram's capital to the Indian Railways network and is part of a larger Rs 77,000 crore investment in railway projects across Northeast India.
The Bairabi-Sairang project, constructed at a cost of around Rs 8,070 crore, includes 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 88 minor bridges, built under challenging hilly terrain and complex geological conditions. Notably, bridge number 196 on this line stands at 104 meters, making it the second highest railway bridge in India, surpassing the height of Delhi's Qutub Minar.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the rail line will connect Aizawl with major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati. He also noted that cargo trains will operate on this route to transport goods like cement, fruits, and steel, reducing logistics costs and boosting trade opportunities in the region.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the Northeast region as a growth engine of India and referenced the "Act-East policy" initiated under his leadership to enhance connectivity and development in the area over the past 11 years.
Alongside the rail line inauguration, PM Modi flagged off three new express trains: the Sairang (Aizawl)-Delhi Rajdhani Express, the Sairang-Guwahati Express, and the Sairang-Kolkata Express, further integrating Mizoram with the national railway network.
Additionally, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Chhimtuipui River Bridge on the Lawngtlai-Siaha Road, which will provide all-weather connectivity and reduce travel time by two hours. He also inaugurated the foundation for the Khelo India Multipurpose Indoor Hall aimed at sports development in Mizoram.
This railway project, first conceived in 1999, marks a significant milestone in the infrastructure development of Northeast India, aiming to enhance tourism, trade, and overall connectivity in the region.
Source: Free Press Journal, September 13, 2025
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