Aizawl, June 12 — In a historic development, Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, has officially been connected to the Indian Railway network for the first time, 77 years after independence. The milestone was marked by the completion and inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang broad-gauge railway line, bringing Mizoram’s capital into the national rail grid.
The 51-kilometre-long rail line from Bairabi to Sairang, located just 20 kilometres from Aizawl, was completed by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The line includes 55 major bridges, 87 small bridges, and 23 tunnels, making it one of the most challenging railway projects in the northeastern region.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the project as a “historic step towards inclusive development” during the inauguration ceremony. He stated that the new rail link would boost regional trade, improve access to essential services, and strengthen the state’s integration with the rest of India.
“This is more than just a railway line. It’s a lifeline for Mizoram and a symbol of our commitment to the development of the Northeast,” the minister said.
The Bairabi–Sairang railway project is part of the central government’s larger push under the Act East Policy, which aims to improve connectivity in the Northeast and promote economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia.
Officials said the new railway line is expected to reduce transportation costs, facilitate the movement of goods and people, and spur tourism in Mizoram. It is also seen as strategically significant due to the state’s location along the India–Myanmar border.
Local residents and community leaders welcomed the development, saying it would bring long-awaited connectivity and open up new opportunities for trade, education, and employment. Passenger train services to Aizawl are expected to commence in the coming months once station upgrades are completed.
With the completion of this rail link, Aizawl becomes the penultimate state capital in the Northeast to be connected by rail, with only Gangtok in Sikkim remaining unlinked.
Railway officials confirmed that future plans include extending rail connectivity to neighbouring countries under the Trans-Asian Railway initiative, further boosting cross-border commerce and regional cooperation.
The Aizawl railway link is expected to become a key part of India’s northeastern development strategy, strengthening both national integration and international connectivity in the years to come.
