Aizawl, Sept 13 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Mizoram’s first railway line and flagged off the state’s first Rajdhani Express, connecting Aizawl directly with Delhi. The landmark Barabi-Sairang rail line, built at a cost of around Rs 8,070 crore, has been described as one of the most challenging projects in Indian Railways’ history. Approved in 2008-09 and initiated in 2015, the line features 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges.
Officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway highlighted that the bridge near Sairang, standing at 114 meters, surpasses the height of the Qutub Minar, making it the tallest pier bridge in the country. The railway route also includes five road overbridges and six underpasses, with major stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, Mualkhang, and Sairang, apart from Barabi.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the project will provide safe, efficient, and affordable travel for Mizoram’s people while ensuring timely and reliable supply of food grains, fertilizers, and essential goods. It is expected to improve passenger and freight transport, cut travel time, boost tourism and employment, and fulfill a long-standing demand of the state’s residents.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister flagged off three new express trains – the Sairang (Aizawl)-Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal) Rajdhani Express, the Sairang-Guwahati Express, and the Sairang-Kolkata Express. He also laid the foundation stones for projects across railway, road, energy, and sports sectors.
As per agency report, under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East (PM-DevINE), a 45-km Aizawl bypass road worth over Rs 500 crore will help decongest the city and improve connectivity with Lunglei, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lengpui airport, and the Sairang railway station. Similarly, the Khankawn-Rongura road under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) will improve access to markets and benefit local horticulture farmers, along with supporting a ginger processing plant.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for the Chhimtuipui bridge on the Longtlai-Siaha road, a multipurpose indoor sports hall under the Khelo India initiative, and an LPG bottling plant at Mualkhang in Aizawl. Additionally, he inaugurated a residential school in Kawrtah under the PM Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) and an Eklavya Model Residential School at Talangnuaim.
The inauguration of Mizoram’s first railway line marks a historic milestone, promising not only enhanced connectivity but also a transformative boost to the state’s economic and social development.
