Aizawl, September 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram’s first-ever railway line—the ₹8,070-crore Bairabi–Sairang project—and flagged off the state’s maiden Rajdhani Express connecting Aizawl with Delhi. The event, hailed as a historic milestone for the northeastern state, was addressed virtually by the Prime Minister from Lengpui Airport due to inclement weather.
The 51.38-km Bairabi–Sairang line, considered among the most challenging in Indian Railways’ history, features 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges across difficult terrain. A standout engineering marvel on the route is Bridge No. 144 near Sairang, whose 114-metre pier surpasses the height of the Qutub Minar, making it the tallest pier railway bridge in India.
“With today’s inauguration, Aizawl finds its place on India’s railway map. This railway line is not just about connectivity, but about transformation. It will strengthen supply chains, boost trade, and improve lives in Mizoram,” Modi said.
Alongside the Rajdhani Express, the Prime Minister also flagged off two new trains—the Sairang–Guwahati Express and the Sairang–Kolkata Express—enhancing Mizoram’s direct rail links with the rest of the country.
The route is equipped with five road overbridges, six underpasses, and four new stations—Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang—apart from Bairabi. Officials said the line would ensure safe, cost-effective transport of essentials such as food grains and fertilisers while opening new opportunities for tourism and regional trade.
On the occasion, Modi also laid the foundation stones for several key projects across infrastructure, roadways, energy, education, and sports. These include the ₹500-crore Aizawl Bypass Road under PM-DevINE, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital; Thenzawl–Sialsuk and Khankawn–Rongura roads under NESIDS; the Chhimtuipui Bridge on the Lawngtlai–Siaha Road; an LPG bottling plant at Mualkhang; and a multipurpose indoor sports hall under the Khelo India scheme. Educational projects inaugurated include a residential school at Kawrthah under PMJVK and an Eklavya Model Residential School at Tlangnuam.
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that railway projects worth ₹77,000 crore are underway across the Northeast. “This connectivity will not only boost tourism and employment but also ensure that Mizoram’s products find bigger markets. It is a testament to the Prime Minister’s Act East Policy,” he said.
