PM Modi Inaugurates Mizoram’s First Railway Line: A Historic Boost for Northeast Connectivity

By ATISH | September 13, 2025

In a landmark event that underscores India’s push towards inclusive development in its northeastern region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge railway project on Saturday, marking Mizoram’s entry into the national railway network for the first time in 78 years since independence.

The Rs 8,070 crore initiative, spanning 51.38 kilometers, connects the state capital Aizawl to the broader Indian Railways system, promising to revolutionize transportation, logistics, and economic opportunities in one of the country’s most remote and hilly terrains.

The ceremony, held virtually from Delhi but with local celebrations in Aizawl, highlighted the project’s role as a cornerstone of the government’s Act East Policy. This policy aims to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia and integrate the Northeast into the national economic corridor. PM Modi, addressing the gathering, emphasized how the BJP-led government has reversed decades of neglect by the previous Congress regimes, transforming Mizoram into a key hub for regional connectivity. “This railway line is not just tracks and bridges; it’s a lifeline that will connect dreams to reality,” Modi stated, as reported by multiple sources including India TV and The Indian Express.

The Bairabi–Sairang line, sanctioned in 2008-09 and construction launched in 2015, is hailed as one of the most challenging engineering feats in Indian Railways’ history. Nearly 54% of the route passes through tunnels and bridges, navigating the Himalayan-like geology of Mizoram’s rugged hills, rivers, and ridges. The project features 45 tunnels—some of the longest in the Northeast—and 55 major bridges along with 87 minor ones. A standout structure is Bridge No. 144 near Sairang, with a pier height of 114 meters, surpassing the iconic Qutub Minar in Delhi and earning the title of India’s tallest pier railway bridge, according to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).

Engineers faced formidable obstacles, including stabilizing loose sand into solid rock formations before tunneling could begin, as noted by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The line includes four new stations: Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang, the latter just 20 km from Aizawl. These stations will serve local communities, facilitating easier access to markets, healthcare, and education. Vaishnaw, who inspected the site earlier, described the project as a “major step” in overcoming “complex terrain” to implement the Act East vision.

With this inauguration, Aizawl joins Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar as the fourth northeastern capital with direct rail access. The connectivity extends from Bairabi on the Assam-Mizoram border to Sairang, slashing travel times dramatically. For instance, the journey from Aizawl to Silchar in Assam will now take just three hours, compared to the previous road travel that could stretch to 10 hours or more due to winding mountain paths and frequent landslides. This will not only ease passenger movement but also support cross-border trade under frameworks like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, linking Mizoram to Myanmar and the Bay of Bengal.

To mark the occasion, PM Modi flagged off three new long-distance trains, enhancing links to major Indian cities. The inaugural Sairang–Delhi Rajdhani Express departed Sairang at 10 a.m. on Saturday, bound for Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi, with a scheduled arrival on September 15. Regular services will operate weekly: departing Sairang every Friday evening and returning from Delhi every Sunday night. The train’s route includes stops at Badarpur, Hojai, Guwahati, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town, and Patna, allowing speeds up to 100 kmph on the new line.

Complementing this, the daily Sairang–Guwahati Express will run from September 13, departing Guwahati at 7 p.m. and arriving in Sairang the next evening, fostering intra-Northeast travel. The tri-weekly Sairang–Kolkata Express will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from Kolkata, returning on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. These services, as detailed by NFR schedules, will provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective options for passengers, while ensuring timely supply of essentials like food grains and fertilizers, as per the Prime Minister’s Office.

Beyond the railway, PM Modi laid the foundation stones for infrastructure projects worth over Rs 9,000 crore, amplifying the day’s developmental impact. Key among them is the 45-km Aizawl Bypass Road under the PM-DevINE scheme, designed to decongest the capital and improve urban mobility. Road projects like the Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road and Khankawn–Rongura Road, funded under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), target agricultural enhancement. The Thenzawl–Sialsuk stretch will benefit horticulture farmers, dragon fruit growers, paddy cultivators, and ginger processors by providing better market access. Similarly, the Khankawn–Rongura Road supports a planned ginger processing plant, boosting local economies.

Other initiatives include the Chhimtuipui Bridge for all-weather connectivity and cross-border commerce, an LPG bottling plant at Mualkhang to improve energy access, new sports infrastructure, and residential schools under the PM Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) and Eklavya Model Residential Schools scheme. These projects, collectively, aim to generate employment, promote tourism, and uplift tribal communities in Mizoram, a state with a population of over 1.1 million predominantly from ethnic Mizo tribes.

The ripple effects of the Bairabi–Sairang line are expected to be profound. Officials predict a surge in tourism, as Mizoram’s lush landscapes, biodiversity hotspots like the Mizo Hills, and cultural festivals become more accessible to domestic and international visitors. Logistics costs will drop, aiding the transport of perishable goods like bamboo, tea, and spices—key exports from the state. Employment opportunities in railway operations, maintenance, and related industries could create thousands of jobs, addressing youth unemployment in the region.

From a broader perspective, this development aligns with India’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific. By linking Mizoram to Southeast Asia via rail extensions like the proposed Sairang–Hmawngbuchhuah line (223 km) to the India-Myanmar border, the project enhances trade corridors and counters China’s influence in the region. Travel and Tour World noted that the line will attract business tourists and investors, fostering cultural exchange and economic integration.

PM Modi’s visit also carries symbolic weight amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the Northeast. While in Mizoram, he referenced the government’s commitment to peace and progress, indirectly touching on neighboring Manipur’s ethnic tensions, where he is scheduled to inaugurate projects worth Rs 7,300 crore separately. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma praised the initiative, stating it fulfills a 15-year vision and positions the state as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

Critics, however, point to delays in the project—originally estimated at Rs 2,384 crore but ballooning to over Rs 8,000 crore due to geological challenges—and question the timeline for full electrification and extension. Yet, supporters argue that such investments are essential for equitable growth in a region long marginalized.

As the Rajdhani Express chugs towards Delhi, carrying the hopes of Mizoram’s residents, this inauguration signals a new era. For America News World readers interested in global infrastructure and emerging markets, India’s Northeast represents untapped potential—rich in resources and strategic location. With enhanced connectivity, Mizoram could emerge as a vibrant player in Asia’s economic landscape, bridging South and Southeast Asia while showcasing sustainable development in challenging terrains.