Centre Plans Mizoram-Myanmar Railway Link via Sairang-Zochachhuah Extension as Railway Ministry considers extending the Bairabi–Sairang line to the border.
In a significant development that could redefine cross-border connectivity and trade in India’s northeast, the Railway Ministry is planning to extend the under-construction Bairabi-Sairang broad gauge railway line up to the India-Myanmar border. This was confirmed by Mizoram’s lone Rajya Sabha MP, K. Vanlalvena, following an inspection of the project site at Sairang on Monday.
Once completed, the Bairabi-Sairang line will make Aizawl the fourth state capital in the Northeast to be connected by rail, after Guwahati (Assam), Agartala (Tripura), and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh). The 51.38-kilometre stretch between Bairabi (located near Assam’s Hailakandi district) and Sairang (just north of Aizawl) is being constructed by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) at an estimated cost of ₹8,215 crore.
According to Vanlalvena, the Ministry is now undertaking preliminary surveys for the proposed extension of this line up to Zochachhuah, a remote village in southern Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district which lies along the India–Myanmar border. “Extending the railway line up to Zochachhuah could significantly benefit Mizoram. It will open new possibilities for trade, tourism, and strategic movement,” the MP told IANS.
Connecting Borders: Vision and Strategic Importance
The proposed extension is part of India’s larger Act East Policy, aimed at improving connectivity between India’s northeastern states and Southeast Asia. Zochachhuah is located near the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which is already being developed as a critical corridor linking Mizoram with the Sittwe port in Myanmar.
With the extension of the railway line, the region could potentially witness increased economic activity, improved logistics, and better mobility for border communities. Vanlalvena noted that he had consistently raised the need for improved rail connectivity in Parliament and welcomed the Centre’s proactive approach in boosting Mizoram’s infrastructure.
Progress and Setbacks: Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line
The Bairabi–Sairang project, being executed by the Northeast Frontier Railway, is progressing steadily, despite facing several challenges. Vanlalvena informed that out of the total sanctioned cost of ₹8,215 crore, around ₹7,714 crore has already been utilized.
However, the project suffered a tragic setback on August 23, 2023, when a steel girder bridge — the tallest along the entire route — collapsed at Kurung, killing 23 railway construction workers. The incident delayed the project’s timeline by nearly a year and raised concerns over safety protocols in hilly terrain infrastructure work.
Since then, the Railway Ministry has intensified its monitoring of the project. Recently, Arun Kumar Chaudhary, General Manager (Construction) of NFR, conducted a detailed inspection of the site. Accompanied by senior officials from the NFR headquarters at Maligaon (near Guwahati), he reviewed ongoing work at key stations including Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang, along with bridge and tunnel construction activities.
Project Structure and Current Status
The Bairabi–Sairang line is divided into four sections:
- Bairabi–Hortoki
- Hortoki–Kawnpui
- Kawnpui–Mualkhang
- Mualkhang–Sairang
The Bairabi–Hortoki section was successfully commissioned in July 2023. The remaining sections are nearing completion, and officials are optimistic that the entire line will be operational within the next four to five months.
According to Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NFR, the department is working around the clock to complete the remaining sections. “This will be a game changer for Mizoram’s connectivity with the rest of India,” Sharma said.
The Road Ahead
With the planned extension to Zochachhuah, the region could emerge as a vital transit hub linking northeastern India with Southeast Asia. The rail connectivity may also support central government ambitions under the Act East Policy, improve security logistics in border regions, and create economic opportunities for the tribal communities of southern Mizoram.
As Vanlalvena emphasized, “This railway will not only transform Mizoram’s landscape but also place the state on the international map as a gateway to Southeast Asia.”
