Mizoram has taken a momentous step forward in connectivity as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13, inaugurated the Bairabi-Sairang railway line, officially linking Aizawl, the state capital, to India’s national railway network for the first time. The project, costing around ₹8,070 to ₹8,215 crore, was completed after years of planning and engineering through difficult terrain.
The 51.38 km broad-gauge line includes 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges. Among the most notable structures is Bridge No. 196, which stands 104 metres high — taller than the Qutub Minar — and is now the second-highest rail bridge in the Northeast.
Alongside the rail link, the Prime Minister flagged off the state’s first Rajdhani Express service: the Sairang-Anand Vihar Terminal Rajdhani Express. This weekly train service will begin its regular run from September 19. The train covers approximately 2,510 to 2,512 km, taking about 42 hours and 20 minutes to reach Delhi.
The Rajdhani train has stops at key junctions including Bairabi, Badarpur Junction, New Haflong, Hojai, Guwahati, New Jalpaiguri, Patna, and Kanpur Central among others.
PM Modi described the inauguration as a “historic day” for Mizoram. He emphasized that this integration will not just improve accessibility but also open up opportunities in trade, tourism, education, and healthcare. Aizawl, he said, will now emerge from longstanding isolation.
State officials noted that the completion of this project has been especially challenging due to the region’s rugged geography, heavy rainfall, seismic activity, and the need for numerous bridges and tunnels. But those hurdles were finally cleared, with the infrastructure ready to boost socio-economic growth.
Local residents and travel-dependent businesses have greeted the launch with enthusiasm. Shorter travel times, reduced dependence on unreliable road transport, and more direct access to larger commercial centres are expected to improve livelihoods.
The Rajdhani Express, with its fully air-conditioned coaches, is seen not just as a convenience but as a symbol of belonging — for the people of Mizoram to be directly connected to India’s capital by premium rail service.
In summary, the inauguration of the Bairabi-Sairang rail line and the launch of the Rajdhani Express mark a transformational moment in Mizoram’s history. Beyond steel tracks and bridges, this development promises improved mobility, economic stimulation, and integration with the broader national framework.
