Aizawl: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram’s first railway line, the Bairabi–Sairang project, marking a historic milestone in the state’s connectivity with the rest of India. The ₹8,070 crore project links Mizoram’s capital to the national railway network for the first time, promising safer, faster, and more affordable travel for the region.
Speaking at the event, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called the line an engineering achievement, built under some of the toughest Himalayan conditions. He noted the construction involved 45 tunnels stretching 51 km and 45 bridges, including one taller than Delhi’s Qutub Minar. “The terrain and geology were highly complex, requiring new tunneling methods and soil stabilization techniques,” Vaishnaw said.
The minister also credited Modi’s “Act East Policy” for transforming development in the northeast. “Before 2014, the railway budget for the northeast was only ₹2,000 crore. Under Modi ji, it has risen fivefold to ₹10,000 crore. Today, projects worth ₹77,000 crore are underway,” he added.
Highlighting the benefits, the Prime Minister’s Office said the new line will ensure the steady supply of food grains, fertilizers, and essential goods, enhancing both regional accessibility and economic growth.
On the occasion, Modi also flagged off three new trains: the Sairang–Delhi Rajdhani Express, the Sairang–Guwahati Express, and the Sairang–Kolkata Express, further strengthening rail connectivity for Mizoram.
Additionally, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for several road projects, including the Aizawl Bypass, Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, and Khankawn–Rongura Road, underscoring the government’s commitment to world-class infrastructure and last-mile connectivity in the northeast.
