Aizwal : Bairabi Sairang railway inauguration marked a historic milestone as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Mizoram’s ambitious 51.38-km railway project, making Aizawl the fourth capital in the Northeast connected by rail after Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 9,000 crore, alongside flagging off three new trains.
The three new train services include the Sairang-Anand Vihar (Delhi) Rajdhani Express (weekly), Kolkata-Sairang-Kolkata Express (tri-weekly), and Guwahati-Sairang-Guwahati Express (daily). Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who arrived in Aizawl a day earlier, said the railway project was implemented at a cost of Rs 8,070 crore. With 45 tunnels and 55 major bridges, the project posed significant engineering challenges.
Vaishnaw added that the railway line would transform lives in Mizoram by improving access to hospitals, universities, and markets, strengthening economic, cultural, and educational ties. Employment opportunities are expected to grow, and tourism in the region is likely to receive a significant boost.
In addition to the railway, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for multiple road projects, including the Aizawl Bypass Road, Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road, and Khankawn–Rongura Road. The 45 km Aizawl Bypass Road, under the PM-DevINE scheme and costing over Rs 500 crore, is aimed at decongesting the city and improving connectivity to Lunglei, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lengpui Airport, and Sairang Railway Station. Travel time from southern districts to Aizawl is expected to reduce by about 1.5 hours.
The Thenzawl–Sialsuk Road will benefit horticulture farmers, dragon fruit growers, paddy cultivators, and ginger processors, while the Khankawn–Rongura Road will provide better access to markets and support the planned Ginger Processing Plant. PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Chhimtuipui River Bridge on the Lawngtlai–Siaha Road, which will reduce travel time by two hours and support cross-border commerce under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit framework.
In the sports sector, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Khelo India Multipurpose Indoor Hall at Tuikual to provide modern facilities for youth, nurturing talent for national and international competitions. Strengthening energy infrastructure, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for a 30 TMTPA LPG Bottling Plant at Mualkhang, ensuring a reliable supply of LPG and creating local employment opportunities.
Education initiatives included the inauguration of a Residential School at Kawrthah under the PMJVK scheme, benefiting over 10,000 children and youth, and the Eklavya Model Residential School at Tlangnuam, aimed at improving enrollment, reducing dropout rates, and offering holistic education opportunities for tribal youth.
The Bairabi Sairang railway inauguration and associated projects are expected to transform Mizoram’s connectivity, economy, and social development. Improved transport infrastructure, energy facilities, and educational institutions will boost trade, tourism, and quality of life, making this a historic step in the Northeast’s development.
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