The 1st Rajdhani Express to Mizoram and new freight services in Nagaland are transforming Northeast connectivity. With record-breaking passenger occupancy and growing freight demand, these projects promise economic growth, market access, and new opportunities for trade and employment.
The Indian Railways has received an overwhelming response from passengers and freight operators following the commissioning of the 51.38-kilometer Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram and the commencement of freight operations from Molvom station in Nagaland, officials confirmed on Thursday.
According to Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the strong passenger turnout and freight movement within weeks of the launch reflect the aspirations and confidence of the people of the Northeast in railways as a lifeline of growth and development.
Record-Breaking Passenger Demand
Passenger services from Sairang, which began on September 13, have exceeded expectations. Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, became the fourth capital city in the Northeast connected by rail, following Guwahati (Assam), Agartala (Tripura), and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh). The ambitious Bairabi–Sairang project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also flagged off three major new train services on the same day:
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Sairang–Anand Vihar (Delhi) Rajdhani Express (weekly)
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Kolkata–Sairang–Kolkata Express (tri-weekly)
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Guwahati–Sairang–Guwahati Express (daily)
The demand for these new routes has been remarkable. The Sairang–Anand Vihar Rajdhani Express registered an extraordinary 162.5% occupancy, while the return service recorded 158.3% occupancy. The Guwahati–Sairang Express achieved 100.1% occupancy, including a fully booked sleeper class, and the return service maintained close to 100% occupancy.
The Kolkata–Sairang route also saw excellent demand. The Sairang–Kolkata Express reported nearly 100% occupancy, while the Kolkata–Sairang service recorded an impressive 144.8% occupancy, with sleeper class occupancy standing at around 144%.
“These trends clearly reflect the strong demand for direct and reliable rail connectivity to and from Mizoram,” Sharma said.
Boost for Freight and Trade
The freight sector has also benefitted significantly from the new connectivity. By September 30, a total of eight freight rakes had been unloaded at Sairang station. The first rake arrived on September 14, carrying 21 wagons of cement from STAR Cement Siding in Tetelia near Guwahati. This was followed by multiple consignments, including:
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Three rakes of stone chips
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One rake of automobiles
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One rake of ready-mix concrete (RMC)
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One rake of sand from Bairabi
Adding to the momentum, the first parcel consignment from Sairang was booked on September 19, 2025. The consignment carried Anthurium flowers from Mizoram to Delhi, transported via the parcel van attached to the Sairang–Anand Vihar Rajdhani Express. This milestone highlights the potential of railway connectivity to provide new market access for Mizoram’s agricultural and floriculture products.
Freight Success in Nagaland
Meanwhile, Nagaland’s newly constructed Molvom railway station marked its entry into freight operations during September. On September 24, the station received its first-ever inward rake, consisting of 41 wagons of cement from Telangana. This was followed by an outward rake on September 29, with 42 wagons of stone chips loaded from Molvom to Jirania in Tripura.
These freight movements not only underline the growing role of railways in boosting trade within the region but also pave the way for new business opportunities and stronger interstate supply chains.
A Pathway to Development
The NFR CPRO emphasized that the remarkable demand for both passenger and freight services showcases the transformative power of rail connectivity in the Northeast.
“Beyond convenience, these new links promise economic growth, better market access for local products, and new opportunities for trade and employment,” Sharma said.
| Also Read: PM Modi’s Mizoram Visit: Railway and Road Projects to Transform State |
The introduction of the Rajdhani Express to Mizoram and freight services in Nagaland mark a turning point in the Northeast’s transportation landscape. For passengers, it means faster, more reliable connections to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati. For traders, it opens up fresh avenues to move goods more efficiently, reducing costs and expanding market reach.
As railways continue to extend deeper into the Northeast, the region is witnessing not just improved connectivity but also the strengthening of its role as a crucial gateway for trade and growth in India’s development journey.
