Aizawl, September 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram’s first-ever railway line, the Bairabi–Sairang project, calling it a landmark step in integrating the state with the national railway grid. Built at a cost of ₹8,070 crore, the line connects Aizawl to the rest of India by rail for the first time, ensuring safer, faster, and more affordable transport for the northeastern state.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the project as an engineering feat, accomplished under some of the most demanding Himalayan conditions. The 51-kilometre route required 45 tunnels and 45 bridges, including one higher than Delhi’s Qutub Minar. “The terrain and geology posed unique challenges, which demanded advanced tunneling and soil stabilization techniques,” Vaishnaw said.
He credited the progress to Modi’s “Act East Policy,” emphasizing how investment in the region has grown exponentially. “Before 2014, the northeast’s railway budget was just ₹2,000 crore. Under Modi ji, it has increased five times to ₹10,000 crore. Currently, projects worth ₹77,000 crore are underway,” he noted.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the line will strengthen the supply chain of essential goods such as food grains and fertilizers, boosting both regional accessibility and economic opportunities.
Modi also flagged off three new trains—the Sairang–Delhi Rajdhani Express, the Sairang–Guwahati Express, and the Sairang–Kolkata Express—further enhancing Mizoram’s rail links with major cities.
In addition, the Prime Minister laid foundation stones for road infrastructure projects including the Aizawl Bypass, Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, and Khankawn–Rongura Road, reaffirming the Centre’s focus on world-class infrastructure and last-mile connectivity in the northeast.
