Aizawl is set to become the fourth Northeast capital connected by rail as NFR nears completion of the Bairabi–Sairang project. The new railway line promises enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and tourism for Mizoram.
Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, is on the brink of being connected to the national railway network. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has reached a pivotal stage in the strategic Bairabi–Sairang new line project, marking a significant moment in the region’s development journey.
The long-standing demand for railway connectivity to Aizawl, one of India’s most isolated state capitals, has finally begun to materialize. The NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, announced that the final stage of safety inspection is underway on the Hortoki–Sairang section, a crucial 33.864 km stretch of the 51.38 km Bairabi–Sairang line. This inspection, conducted by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) Sumeet Singhal, began on June 6 and is scheduled to conclude on June 10, 2025.
Following the successful completion of this inspection and the necessary safety clearances, the formal inauguration of the new railway line is expected after June 17. This milestone will position Aizawl as the fourth capital in the Northeast—after Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh—to be connected by rail.
The Bairabi–Sairang railway line has been divided into four sections:
-
Bairabi–Hortoki (16.72 km) – commissioned in July 2024
-
Hortoki–Kawnpui (9.71 km)
-
Kawnpui–Mualkhang (12.11 km)
-
Mualkhang–Sairang (12.84 km)
Beyond the logistical planning, the project stands out for its impressive engineering scale. It features:
-
48 tunnels (totaling 12,853 metres)
-
55 major bridges and 87 minor bridges
-
5 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and 6 Road Under Bridges (RUBs)
One of the project’s highlights is Bridge No. 196, a towering rail pier bridge standing 104 metres tall—42 metres higher than the iconic Qutub Minar—a testament to the engineering excellence required to navigate Mizoram’s rugged and mountainous terrain.
| Also Read: Tripura’s Dr. Saha and AIIMS discuss future of state healthcare |
The project has reached 94.52% physical progress as of June 2025, reflecting steady construction and project execution. On May 1, a successful trial run was conducted in the presence of the NFR’s General Manager (Construction), marking a turning point in Aizawl’s journey towards railway inclusion.
Once operational, the Bairabi–Sairang railway line is poised to be a game-changer for Mizoram. The improved connectivity will:
-
Enhance access to essential goods and services
-
Facilitate long-distance travel for both passengers and freight
-
Reduce transportation costs significantly
Moreover, this rail link is expected to boost local tourism, support small-scale industries, and foster socio-economic development across the state. The NFR remains committed to early commissioning and sees this initiative as a transformative step for Mizoram and the wider northeastern region.
With this project nearing completion, Aizawl is set to step onto the national railway grid, bridging long-standing infrastructural gaps and ushering in a new era of connectivity and growth.
