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Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line: The Bairabi-Sairang rail line has finally connected Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, to the nation's railway map, and soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get it started. The line, however, will have to wait a couple of months for Vande Bharat trains. As the Bairabi-Sairang broad gauge line is yet to be electrified, only diesel-run engines can be operated here, officials say.

This is a historic moment for the Mizoram people, when, after a wait of 26 years, people here will listen to the train whistle for the first time. Mizoram, which remained unconnected with the Indian railway network even after independence for seven decades, is now set to be connected with direct rail linkages. The train has made its maiden arrival in Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, and soon Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open this historic project.

The project is based on the ground laid in 1999. At the time of initiation, it was not feasible to survey it, even because with dense forests, low visibility, and inaccessibility of areas, a preliminary engineering survey (PET Survey) was not feasible. It was later renamed as Reconnaissance Survey and received the green light in 2003.

In 2006, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) carried out a RET survey of this route, and later, RITES carried out a Geo-Technical survey in 2008. The project was announced as a "National Project" in 2008–09, and later, its foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 November 2014. After 11 years of tireless efforts, this dream was realised in 2025.

CPRO KK Sharma added that the travel from Bairabi to Aizawl, which previously used to take 5-6 hours, will now be traversed in 1 to 1.5 hours by train. Not only will travel become cheaper and safer, but the linkage of farmers, traders, and students with the rest of the country will also create a revolution.

Permission has also been granted to operate direct trains from Kolkata, Delhi, and Agartala. The Government of Mizoram and the Ministry of Railways are together making Sairang station a world-class facility.

The Chief Engineer, Vinod Kumar, states that the region can be utilised for just 4–5 months of the year because of landslides, monsoons, and heavy rain. Because the roads were narrow and sloping, it was practically impossible to bring heavy machines and cranes. They came in pieces and were assembled on site. Labourers were brought from other states as the local labour was in short supply. Sand and ballast used as construction material were transported from Assam, West Bengal, and Meghalaya.

Railways intends to operate Vistadome trains on this route, which will give a 360-degree view of Mizoram's prominent tourist attractions like Reik Hills, Tamdil Lake, Vantawng Waterfall, Phawngpui National Park, and Dampa Tiger Reserve. 

The government is now set to extend this railway line up to the Myanmar border. The border of Myanmar is 232 km from Aizawl, and this extension will be vital not just for connectivity but also for national security.

With the opening of this railway line, capitals of 4 of the 8 northeast states – Tripura (Agartala), Arunachal (Itanagar), Assam (Dispur), and Mizoram (Aizawl) are directly linked to the Indian Railways network.

A Mizoram resident uttered, "We never imagined that a train would ever reach us…" This dream has become a reality today. Mizoram, previously connected only by road or air, is now connected by rail, thus again confirming its title as 'Haven of Northeast'.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi and also invited him to formally inaugurate the newly completed Bairabi–Sairang railway line and the new Sairang Railway Station.

An official of the Mizoram Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that the Prime Minister expressed his willingness to do so in person, subject to the availability of time in his schedule.

Also Read: Indian Railways to install CCTV cameras in trains to monitor unlawful activities

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