Mizorams First Railway Line inaugurated in 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Discover Mizorams first railway line connecting Bairabi to Sairang, inaugurated in 2025. Explore its strategic importance, new train services, infrastructure projects, and socio-economic benefits for the region.

Mizorams First Railway Line

The opening of Mizoram’s first-ever railway line is a historic achievement for India’s northeast. The Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge railway, stretching over 51.38 km, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025. This important project supports the government’s Act East Policy and improves transportation by connecting Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, directly to India’s national railway network for the very first time.

Project Insight

The idea for Mizoram’s first railway line was approved in 2008-09, and construction work started in 2015. The project cost around ₹8,070 crore. The railway route is challenging, with 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges. Nearly 54% of the entire track passes through tunnels and bridges because of the tough hilly landscape.

One of the most remarkable structures is Bridge No. 144 near Sairang, which is India’s tallest pier railway bridge, standing 114 meters high. Engineers had to deal with complicated Himalayan geology and used special techniques to turn loose sand into stable rock to ensure tunnel safety during construction.

Key Strategic Significance

The newly built railway links Bairabi, located at the Assam–Mizoram border, to Sairang, which is just 20 km away from Aizawl. With this development, Aizawl becomes the fourth state capital in India’s northeast to have a railway connection, after Guwahati, Agartala, and Itanagar.

The railway line is expected to make transportation of goods and people faster, lower travel time, and boost tourism in the region. It also plays an important role in ensuring the regular delivery of essential supplies such as food grains and fertilisers, contributing significantly to the overall growth and development of Mizoram.

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New Rail Services Launched

Along with the new railway line, three long-distance trains have been introduced: the Sairang–Delhi Rajdhani Express, Sairang–Guwahati Express, and Sairang–Kolkata Express. The Rajdhani Express connects Mizoram to Delhi on a weekly schedule, while the Guwahati Express runs daily, and the Kolkata Express operates three times a week. These train services improve both passenger travel and freight transport, linking Mizoram more closely with India’s major cities.

Infrastructure Expansion Initiatives

Prime Minister Modi also announced infrastructure projects valued at over ₹9,000 crore. Key initiatives include the 45-km Aizawl Bypass Road and important regional roads such as Thenzawl–Sialsuk and Khankawn–Rongura, which will help farmers and traders reach markets more easily.

Projects like the Chhimtuipui Bridge are designed to ensure year-round connectivity and promote cross-border trade as part of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit framework. Other developments include a new LPG bottling plant, upgraded sports facilities, and educational institutions under various government schemes.

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Economic Growth and Social Development

The railway line and associated projects are expected to generate employment and stimulate economic activity. Improved connectivity will encourage tourism and ease transport of agricultural produce and manufactured goods. The infrastructure upgrades are designed to support the government’s vision of integrating the Northeast more closely with the rest of India and neighbouring countries.

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