PM Modi is likely to inaugurate the 51.38 km Bairabi–Sairang railway project in Mizoram on September 13. The ₹8,215 crore project will connect Aizawl to India’s rail network for the first time, boosting connectivity, trade, and socio-economic growth while showcasing Indian Railways’ engineering marvel in the Northeast.
Aizawl is poised to mark a historic milestone as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the long-awaited Bairabi–Sairang railway project on September 13, a development that will connect Mizoram’s capital directly to the Indian Railways network for the first time.
According to an official from the Mizoram Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), while a final confirmation of the Prime Minister’s schedule from the PMO is still awaited, the inauguration on September 13 appears highly probable. If the plan materialises, Aizawl will become the fourth Northeast capital to have a direct railway link, after Guwahati (Assam), Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), and Agartala (Tripura).
A Long-Awaited Project
The Bairabi–Sairang railway line, spanning 51.38 km, represents years of meticulous planning and execution through some of India’s most challenging terrains. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, addressing the 15th Conference of the Mizoram Police Service Association (MPSA), confirmed that the Prime Minister is likely to inaugurate the project and flag off the first train.
This project marks a transformative achievement for the state. On July 14, during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, CM Lalduhoma personally extended an invitation to him to formally inaugurate the newly completed line and the newly constructed Sairang Railway Station.
Strategic and Economic Significance
A senior official from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) headquarters in Maligaon, near Guwahati, said that once inaugurated, the new line will directly connect Mizoram’s capital with the rest of India, revolutionising both passenger travel and freight movement. This connectivity is expected to unlock socio-economic opportunities in the state, facilitate trade, and improve supply chains for essential commodities.
The project has been executed at an estimated cost of ₹8,215 crore. Beyond cost, the railway line represents the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the people of Mizoram to see trains reach the heart of their capital city.
Engineering Marvel in Tough Terrain
The Bairabi–Sairang project is considered an engineering marvel of Indian Railways. Constructed in mountainous terrain, the line incorporates some of the most complex infrastructural challenges. The project includes:
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48 tunnels covering a total length of 12,853 meters
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55 major bridges and 87 minor bridges
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Five Road Over Bridges and six Road Under Bridges
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Bridge No. 196, with a height of 104 metres, which is 42 metres taller than the iconic Qutub Minar in Delhi
Despite these immense challenges, the Northeast Frontier Railway has managed to deliver commendable work, reinforcing its reputation for executing projects in difficult landscapes.
Safety and Operational Clearance
The project has already passed its critical safety checks. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Northeast Frontier Circle, Sumeet Singhal, after a detailed inspection of the tracks between June 6 and June 10, gave authorisation for both goods and passenger train operations on the new line. This clearance paves the way for the launch of services immediately after the inauguration.
A Step Toward Greater Connectivity
The completion of this project highlights the central government’s commitment to strengthening connectivity in the Northeast, a region long perceived as remote and infrastructure-deficient. Enhanced railway connectivity in Mizoram is expected not only to benefit the local population but also to boost tourism, trade, and regional integration with neighbouring states and Southeast Asia.
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With its official inauguration likely to take place on September 13, the Bairabi–Sairang line is set to transform Mizoram’s transportation landscape, bridge infrastructural gaps, and open a new chapter in the state’s journey toward development. For the people of Mizoram, the sound of trains rolling into Aizawl will symbolise much more than convenience—it will mark progress, connection, and opportunity.
