Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram’s first railway line, the Bairabi–Sairang project, connecting the state capital to the Indian Railways network for the first time. Built at a cost of over ₹8,070 crore, the new line is expected to enhance connectivity, improve logistics, and ensure reliable transport of essentials like food grains and fertilisers to the northeastern state.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the project as an engineering marvel, highlighting the challenges of constructing in the Himalayan terrain. “This railway line includes 45 tunnels covering 51 km and 45 bridges, one of which is taller than the Qutub Minar. A new tunnelling method had to be developed to overcome the complex geology,” he said.
Vaishnaw also credited PM Modi’s “Act East Policy” for boosting infrastructure in the northeast. “Before 2014, the budget for the region’s railways was only ₹2,000 crore. Under Modi ji, it has been increased fivefold to ₹10,000 crore, with projects worth ₹77,000 crore currently underway,” he noted.
On the occasion, PM Modi also flagged off three new express trains: the Sairang–Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal) Rajdhani Express, the Sairang–Guwahati Express, and the Sairang–Kolkata Express, directly linking Mizoram with major cities.
In addition to the rail project, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for key road infrastructure, including the Aizawl Bypass Road, Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, and Khankawn–Rongura Road, aimed at boosting connectivity within the state.
